Previous Section Index Home Page


Strokes

Mr. Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) following the publication of "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation and the developing National Service Framework for older People" what priority will be accorded in (a) his Department's policy research and (b) the NHS Research and Development Programme to deal with strokes; and if he will make a statement; [149770]

Yvette Cooper: Through the National Health Service research and development programme for cardiovascular disease and stroke, one of a number of time-limited research programmes, the Department made a major investment in stroke research, commissioning 57 projects at cost of £11.8 million. The Department continues to support stroke research through the NHS health technology assessment programme (HTA) and the

26 Feb 2001 : Column: 433W

Department's policy research programme and other NHS research and development programmes. Research to underpin the national service frameworks is a priority for the Department and NHS research and development programmes. Future Departmental/NHS research on stroke is likely to be taken forward as part of the overall research strategy to support the National Service Framework for Older People and to meet the research needs of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

We are also providing support for stroke research through the Medical Research Council (MRC) who are always willing to consider well-designed research projects.

The following projects funded by the Department of Health and listed on 9 January 2001, Official Report, columns 532-36W, are still in progress.
































26 Feb 2001 : Column: 434W



















































26 Feb 2001 : Column: 435W





Insulin Pumps

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his Department's most recent guidance is regarding use of insulin pumps; [149845]

Ms Stuart: There has been no comprehensive evaluation of the place of insulin pumps in diabetes treatment. The Department has not issued specific guidance on their use.

However, if resources allow, hospital consultants may prescribe equipment such as insulin pumps as part of National Health Service treatment. Health authorities may provide such equipment, prescribed as part of NHS treatment, either permanently or on loan, and in these circumstances no charge may be made. It is for health authorities to make decisions about the best use of their resources on the basis of clinical priorities and local needs.

No information is collected centrally on which health authorities provide funding for insulin pump therapy.

Care Home Standards

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the final version of the national minimum standards for homes for older people; and if he will make a statement on the consultation process, including who was consulted, in formulating compensatory quality standards contained in the final version. [149843]

Mr. Hutton: We consulted extensively on the proposals for care homes for older people, set out in the consultation document "Fit For The Future?"; the formal consultation period ended in January 2000. Following this, we consulted provider organisations, and in particular smaller providers, and other interested parties, and achieved broad agreement for the flexibilities we announced last year. These decisions should ensure that any improvements in the quality of care homes necessary will be achieved smoothly, and that stability in the care homes sector and sufficient capacity is maintained while changes are made. We intend to publish the finalised standards shortly.

Compulsory Hospital Admissions

Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many compulsory admissions there were to hospital in England and Wales in each year between 1990 and 2000 under the powers in the Mental Health Act 1983. [150003]

26 Feb 2001 : Column: 436W

Mr. Hutton: The Department collects and publishes information annually relating to patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 on:


The latest data are published by the Department, in a statistical bulletin "In-patients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation, England: 1989-1990 to 1999-2000". The National Assembly for Wales published a separate statistical report entitled "Admission of patients to mental health facilities in Wales, 1999-2000 (including patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983)". Both publications are available in the Library.


Next Section Index Home Page