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Food Labelling
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the work of the Food Standards Agency in previewing food labelling in respect of proposals that will provide consumers with accurate
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and comprehensive information about the contributions of some food products to the reduction of disease risk exposure; and if he will make a statement; [142707]
- (2) what steps he is taking at a European level to promote initiatives to improve labelling information for consumers of food products to provide accurate and comprehensive information about the contributions of certain food products in the reduction of disease risk exposure; and if he will make a statement. [142763]
Ms Stuart: We have accepted the advice of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that in the interests of informed consumer choice, European Union legislation should allow those foods which play a role in reducing the risk of certain diseases to make relevant claims. It has also agreed that there should be an effective and practical system at EU level for the verification and approval of such claims.
The FSA is pressing the European Commission to amend European Community food labelling rules to improve the level and clarity of information on food labels.
A summary of the changes being pursued has been published by the FSA in its action plan on food labelling, copies of which are available in the Library.
Hospital Waiting Times
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients have been waiting over one year for inpatient treatment in (a) West Surrey and (b) Durham in (i) 1997 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [142992]
Mr. Denham: The information requested is given in the table.
| Proportion of patients waiting over a year for inpatient treatment as on: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 March 1997 | 31 October 2000 | |
| West Surrey Heath Authority | 5.5 | 11.7 |
| County Durham and Darlington Health Authority | 0.0 | 1.5 |
Source:
QF01 quarterly waiting times return/monthly waiting times return
We are committed to reducing waiting times for outpatient appointments and inpatient treatment. We addressed this in the National Health Service Plan announced in July where we pledged that, by the end of 2005, the maximum inpatient waiting time will be cut from 18 months now to six months and the maximum outpatient waiting time will be cut from over six months now to three months. Provided we can recruit the extra staff, and the NHS makes the necessary reforms, our eventual objective is to reduce the maximum wait for any stage of treatment to three months by the end of 2008.
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Stroke Patients
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on access to NHS specialist services for people with stroke; what plans he has to end the postcode variations in care for stroke patients; and if he will make additional resources available for the treatment of this condition. [142835]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 15 December 2000]: "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" included stroke as a priority for action and proposes a target reduction in stroke mortality of at least two fifths by 2010 for people under 75.
The forthcoming National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People will drive up the quality, and reduce variations in services for older people. It will set national standards and define service models for the health and social care older people receive; put in place programmes to support implementation; and establish milestones and performance indicators against which progress will be measured. It is expected that the NSF will cover conditions prevalent among older people such as stroke and that it will apply to all stroke patients.
The Budget last March provided around £4 billion extra year on year for England for this year and the next three years (ie 2000-01 to 2003-04).
Ambulance Service
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of additional ambulances and crew required for the London Ambulance Service to achieve an average eight-minute response rate for urban trusts. [142139]
Ms Stuart: It is not possible to identify the additional number of ambulances and crew required for the London Ambulance Service to achieve an average eight-minute response rate for urban trusts.
Hospital Discharges
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out for each health authority, by NHS region, the reason, number and percentage of over 75-year-olds whose discharge was delayed in each quarter of the last three years. [141457]
Mr. Denham: The information requested has been put in the Library.
Health Authority Funding
Mr. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Government funding has been allocated for 2000-01 for each health authority in England and Wales (a) in total and (b) per head of population. [142888]
Mr. Denham: The 2000-01 allocation and the 2000-01 allocation per weighted head of population for each health authority in England are given in the table. All figures include the additional £660 million announced on 28 March 2000.
Funding of health authorities in Wales is a matter for the Assembly for Wales.
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