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Diabetes

Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive advice from the UK National Screening Committee on the proposed screening programme for type 2 diabetes. [160346]

Mr. Denham: The United Kingdom national screening committee's proposals for a type 2 diabetes development project were approved on 2 April. Officials are now developing more detailed plans including a specification

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for the sites, finalised costings and a timetable for the project. The project is being designed to dovetail into existing research projects on screening for type 2 diabetes and should ensure that we have a clear picture of whether or not screening is the most appropriate way to improve identification of this condition. I expect to receive further updates from the UK national screening committee as the work progresses.

Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham

Mr. Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for patients at the Accident and Emergency Unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. [160003]

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Ms Stuart: This is day-to-day management information and, as such, is not collected centrally. The information should be available from the chairman of the Portsmouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

Royal Hospital, Haslar

Mr. Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to promote public awareness of the facilities available at the Accident Treatment Centre at the Royal Hospital, Haslar. [160004]

Ms Stuart: An active publicity campaign has been undertaken by Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire health authority and Haslar communications group. The campaign began on 23 April 2001 and will run until June 2001 involving the use of leaflets, articles in the local media and a road show visiting local shopping centres.

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