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GP Leavers
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs in Surrey have left the profession in each of the last five years. [23311]
Ms Blears: Information is collected on unrestricted principals and equivalents leaving Surrey health authorities but this does not indicate if they left the profession, took a career break or transferred to another area of work. Further information will be available from the chairmen of the primary care groups and trusts in Surrey.
Information on leavers for the last five years currently available is shown in the table.
| Of which: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| England | East Surrey HA | West Surrey HA | |
| 1995–96 | 1,184 | 10 | 15 |
| 1996–97 | 1,058 | 13 | 21 |
| 1997–98 | 1,040 | 12 | 17 |
| 1998–99 | 1,030 | 13 | 17 |
| 1999–2000 | 1,090 | 5 | 16 |
(30) UPEs include Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
(31) The estimate of leavers is based on those UPEs reported in the Department of Health's annual GP census in one year but not reported the following year. Leavers will include both longer term career breaks and wastage.
Notes:
1. Excludes UPEs who have moved between East and West Surrey or to another FHSA/HA.
2. Data for 1995–96 has been converted to match April 1996 HA boundaries.
3. Data as at 1 October each year between 1995 and 1999 and at 30 September 2000.
Source:
Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
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Waiting Lists
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in the Buckinghamshire health authority area waited more than (a) 13 weeks and (b) 26 weeks for a first outpatient appointment in each reporting period over the last 10 years; [24858]
(2) how many patients there were in the Buckinghamshire health authority area on in-patient waiting lists waiting more than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months, (d) 12 months, (e) 15 months, (f) 18 months and (g) 24 months for each reporting period since 1997; [24859]
Ms Blears: The information requested has been placed in the Library.
Homelessness
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to social services departments and the NHS concerning the role of health and social care staff in the development and delivery of strategies to prevent homelessness. [24191]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 19 December 2002]: The National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill currently before Parliament will devolve responsibility for developing a local health improvement and modernisation plan to local primary care trusts. They will also receive a statutory duty to work in partnership with local authorities to assess local care needs and ensure the delivery of appropriate services. PCTs will also be responsible for improving the health status of the local population; including working in partnership with local authorities to address issues such as homelessness.
The Rough Sleepers Unit published a good practice handbook, "Preventing Tomorrow's Rough Sleepers", in 2001. This contains examples of action that can be taken by various service providers, including health practitioners and social services, to prevent people from becoming homeless. The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions will also publish guidance to local authorities on developing homelessness strategies with local partners including health service providers.
We are aware that children placed in temporary accommodation, especially in bed and breakfast, must have regular health and developmental checks by health staff. New guidance will be issued to local authorities on this issue in the near future.
National Network for the Arts in Health
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the financial cost of the National Network for the Arts in Health project; and if he will publish an evaluation of its work. [24583]
Ms Blears: Art has long been used in hospital buildings, with many recognising the healing power of the arts. The arts can contribute very significantly to the provision of health care; by improving the environment for patients, visitors and staff; by encouraging community participation and social regeneration; through therapeutic activity and staff development.
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The National Network for the Arts in Health was established in October 2000 to provide a range of services for those interested and working in the field of Arts in Health.
The National Network for the Arts in Health is funded through a variety of sources, including membership fees, and grants from the following bodies; Kings' Fund, Nuffield Trust, PPP Healthcare and Medical Trust, Arts Council for England, The Baring Foundation, Esmee Fairbarn Charitable Trust, London Forum for arts in health and various publications and activities. This totalled £116,440 in the year 2000–01.
The HDA contracted the National Network to do a specific piece of work in updating an existing database of projects via a questionnaire and host the website by which the data is made available. (Total £15,OOO in the year 2000–01).
The Department has no plans to request or publish any evaluation of NNAH's work. It is expected that this will be the responsibility of the network's board of governors.
Cancer
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent measures his Department has taken to increase awareness of cancer in schools. [24346]
Yvette Cooper [holding answer 8 January 2002]: Our healthy schools programme addresses a range of health and lifestyle issues that will impact on the long-term health of young people. Issues covered include the:
- health risks from smoking and substance misuse,
sun safety,
promoting healthy eating,
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Urban Regeneration
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what schemes targeting urban regeneration needs are managed by his Department; how much each scheme has available to invest; what issues each scheme aims to tackle; and how much has been spent annually since 1997 (a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in Teesside, (c) in Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough councils and (d) in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency. [25476]
Ms Blears: The Department does not manage any schemes specifically targeting urban regeneration. However, implementation of the NHS plan, particularly in relation to primary care reform, will have an impact on urban regeneration. Specifically there are 26 health action zones set up in 1998 and 1999 to tackle health inequalities. They have been taking forward a range of activity that impacts on the determinants of health through their programmes which have included action in areas such as housing, education, crime, employment and transport, and working with ex-drug users. They are also working closely with new deal for community projects in their areas.
HAZ funding for Teeside is shown in the table and compared to national HAZ funding.
| Programme and development | Innovations fund and employment pilots | Smoking cessation | Drugs | Targeted funding for Has in HAZ areas | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tees | ||||||
| 1998–99 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 1999–2000 | 1,231 | 320 | 407 | 0 | 1,274 | 3,232 |
| 2000–01 | 1,589 | 704 | 406 | 135 | 2,547 | 5,381 |
| 2001–02 | 1,589 | 802 | 406 | 135 | (32)4,713 | 7,645 |
| England | ||||||
| 1998–99 | 5,682 | 0 | 0 | 1,780 | 0 | 7,462 |
| 1999–2000 | 42,601 | 2,016 | 9,993 | 1,880 | 30,002 | 86,492 |
| 2000–01 | 40,527 | 7,147 | 10,000 | 1,800 | 59,998 | 119,472 |
| 2001–02 | 40,527 | 8,448 | 10,000 | 1,800 | (32)101,813 | 162,588 |
(32) Health inequalities adjustment
Head Injuries
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase funding for voluntary organisations providing care services for people with head injuries. [25452]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 9 January 2002]: There are no plans to provide specific funds for voluntary organisations dealing with head injury. Commissioning local services for patients with head injuries is the responsibility of health authorities, trusts and primary care teams. They are the people best placed to identify the health needs of local populations and they will decide whether these services are best provided by voluntary organisations, or by someone else.
The Department provides funds to voluntary organisations through the Section 64 General Scheme (Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968). In 2001–02, for example, 575 grants totalling nearly £21 million were awarded to 397 voluntary organisations. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis
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and voluntary organisations providing care services for people with head injuries have an equal chance of obtaining awards.
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