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Consultant Neurologists
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (a) how many consultants in neurology there are in the London NHS region and (b) what the level of vacancies is; and if he will make a statement. [4142]
Mr. Hutton: Information on the number of consultants in neurology there are in the London National Health Service region is provided in the table.
| As at 30 September 2000 | Number |
|---|---|
| Neurology consultants | 100 |
Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest 10
Source:
Department of Health medical and dental work force census
The Department does not collect information on vacancies in neurology.
We are well aware of the need for more consultants, in this and other specialities. There are currently 54 specialist registrars, in London-based programmes, currently undergoing training to be neurologists. Over the next two years 27 of these will complete their training and be ready to take up consultant posts.
Alcoholics
Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the services available for rehabilitation of alcoholics in Milton Keynes, indicating the number of (a) residential places and (b) non-residential places for rehabilitation and counselling. [4347]
Ms Blears: The information requested is not held centrally. The information should be available from the Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Health Authority.
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Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the numbers of alcoholics requiring rehabilitation in Milton Keynes; and how many of these are being offered treatment. [4387]
Ms Blears: No assessment has been made centrally on the numbers of alcoholics requiring rehabilitation in Milton Keynes. Further information on planning for treatment services for alcoholics should be available from the Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Health Authority.
Hospital Infections
Mr. Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hospital acquired infections were detected in NHS hospitals in East Sussex in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001; [4020]
- (2) how many NHS patients contracted hospital- acquired infections in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001 in East Sussex. [4019]
Ms Blears [holding answer 16 July 2001]: This information is not collected centrally. Further local information can be obtained from the Chairmen of the East Sussex Hospital Trusts.
From April 2001 all trusts are required to collect data on MRSA.
Ice Lollies
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Randall) of 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 171W, on food labelling, if he will ensure that the working group addresses the specific problems associated with the labelling of ice lollies. [4554]
Yvette Cooper: The working group is looking at a range of issues, including ways of ensuring the presence of ingredients that can cause allergic or intolerance reactions is clearly and recognisably indicated. In addition, we have been pressing the European Commission to bring forward proposals for changes to European labelling rules to make this obligatory.
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Regent GM Laboratories
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date, and for what reasons the licence held by Regent GM Laboratories was suspended by the Medicines Control Agency; and on what date, and for what reason, it was subsequently reinstated. [4320]
Ms Blears [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The Manufacturer's Licence ML 13994 for Regent GM Laboratories was suspended by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) on 18 December 1998.
The licence was suspended because the company had contravened the provisions of the licence and had failed to a critical extent to comply with the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice.
The suspension was lifted and the licence reinstated on 3 December 1999 following inspection of the manufacturing facilities in August 1999 and November 1999 when the licensing authority was satisfied that the deficiencies identified prior to the suspension had been rectified.
Older People
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will publish the Older People information strategy; and if he will make a statement on its contents. [4088]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The information strategy for Older People will address the information needs of older people, those treating and caring for them and those commissioning or managing services for older people. The strategy aims to be ambitious, looking ahead both in terms of treatment and care issues and information technology developments, and be creative about the potential of new and developing technologies to provide solutions.
The information strategy for older people will be launched later this year.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the regional reviews referred to in paragraph 25, page 119, of the National Service Framework for Older People will be completed and published. [4079]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People stated that the monitoring and planning of its implementation would include reviews at regional level. These will bring together work undertaken at local level, plan progress and set down the future direction of work. The reviews will be published annually, starting one year after the NSF's publication.
Flu Vaccine
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of offering flu vaccine to all front-line social care workers. [4318]
Yvette Cooper [holding answer 17 July 2001]: As last year, National Health Service employers have been asked to offer influenza immunisation to employees directly involved in patient care. Social care employers should consider similar action. The level of cost will depend on take-up.
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It has been estimated that there are approximately 300,000 "front line" social care staff. There are five manufacturers supplying flu vaccine this year at varying prices. If all 300,000 staff received influenza immunisation, then based on the weighted mean average list price of vaccine the cost would be approximately £1.6 million.
Not all social care employers have occupational health functions; there may be additional costs to these employers if they have to make contractual arrangements with local general practitioner practices or external third party companies to provide an immunisation service for their staff.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the take- up of flu vaccine among people aged over 65 years. [4077]
Yvette Cooper [holding answer 17 July 2001]: Following on from last year's successful campaign, we are this year extending the minimum target uptake for influenza immunisation in people aged 65 and over from 60 per cent. to 65 per cent.
The Department has met with the vaccine manufacturers to ensure sufficient supplies of vaccine will be made available; general practitioners and other health professionals have been informed of this increased target via a letter from the Chief Medical Officer. Nursing and Pharmaceutical Officers and GPs have been asked to order sufficient supplies of vaccine; we are also planning once more to use national and local media (newspaper and television) to publicise the campaign.
Surveys
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to NHS trusts and primary care trusts to ensure comparability of results when constructing surveys of users and carers; when the first round of surveys will be completed; and how this will be monitored. [4080]
Ms Blears [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The NHS Plan and Public Service Agreement made new commitments about patient surveys. We will improve the quality of patient experience through measurement of performance, from the patient perspective, to drive real service improvement year on year.
Work is in hand to select survey contractors who will be able to run surveys of acute hospital patients during 2001–02. The survey will include a common national core—which will include the requirements for the performance framework—with the option of adding local questions to inform local actions. Detailed guidance will be issued to all acute national health service trusts in late summer.
From October 2001 NHS trusts will begin to carry out new trust-based patient surveys. From April 2002, results from core questions will be available and feed into the national performance information and traffic lights during 2002, as a first stage in measuring the patient experience of local health services as part of NHS performance management arrangements.
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