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NHS Procurement
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the objectives of the NHS procurement initiative ProCure21. [38688]
Ms Blears [holding answer 28 February 2002]: The information is as follows:
- NHS ProCure21—objectives
- NHS ProCure21 aims to improve capital procurement in the national health service through improving design, strengthening the performance of the NHS as a client, benchmarking and promoting better performance, and establishing partnering frameworks to deliver capital schemes. Its objectives are to deliver better facilities, faster and at greater value for money for the NHS, thus delivering significant benefits for patients, staff and visitors. Further details are set out in "Sold On Health", published May 2000, and on the NHS ProCure21 website www.nhs-procure21.gov.uk.
- The National Audit Office uses NHS ProCure21 as a case study in its report "Modernising Construction" (January 2001). Details can be found at www.nao.gov.uk/publications.
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Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procurement methods are available to NHS organisations for projects over the threshold of £1 million in capital value, subject to the approval of the ProCure21 steering group; and what the criteria are for successful application of the alternative methods. [38691]
Ms Blears [holding answer 28 March 2002]: HM Treasury's "Constructing a Better Government Client—Achieving Excellence" identifies the procurement methods available to the national health service. In May 2000 we published "Sold on Health" jointly with HM Treasury and the Public Services Productivity Panel, which set out our proposals for improving capital procurement in the NHS, NHS ProCure 21, and includes details for the piloting of partnering in the north west and west midlands areas.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the principal supply chain partner is in each of the regions where the NHS pilot procurement initiative ProCure21 is in place; who the core suppliers are; and what the selection criteria are for those core suppliers for each of these regions where the initiative is in place. [38690]
Ms Blears [holding answer 28 February 2002]: We are currently undertaking the selection process to identify principal supply chain partners for the two pilot areas for the partnering element of NHS ProCure21. The selections reflect the European Community works directive and include technical and commercial criteria as well as commitment to working closely with the national health service, delivering continuous improvement and innovation, and the ability to deliver high quality facilities for the NHS.
Three Star Hospitals
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research the performance management unit has conducted into three star hospitals; and how many of them have been found to be failing. [38461]
Ms Blears [holding answer 28 February 2002]: No research has been done on the performance of three star national health service trusts since the performance ratings were published last September. Their performance will be re-assessed as part of the next national annual rating exercise.
Autism (West Sussex)
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities are available in the West Sussex health authority area for children with autism disorders. [39232]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 28 February 2002]: Children with autism will benefit from a range of initiatives we are taking to improve services for disabled children. As part of the quality protects programme, we set new national objectives for children's services which for the first time set out clear outcomes for children and, in some instances, give precise targets which local authorities are expected to achieve. These were updated in "Valuing People".
Disabled children have been made a priority area in quality protects. The last spending review made substantial additional funding available for the children's services grant which now totals £180 million in 2001–02,
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£220 million in 2002–03 and £290 million in 2003–04. Of this, £60 million has been earmarked for services for disabled children and their families—£15 million in 2001–02 and 2002–03 and £30 million in 2003–04.
Currently in West Sussex, there are a number of specific provisions for children with autism. For example, in the Mid Sussex NHS Trust area, a recently developed Joint Assessment Team to diagnose children with these needs. This includes, a consultant paediatrician, a clinical psychologist, a speech therapist and a diagnostic services. Treatment is usually given in conjunction with education and there are special schools in the area where this joint approach can be implemented effectively.
Another example comes from the Sussex Weald and Downs NHS Trust area, where the Community Paediatric Service runs a child development centre for autistic children who are under five, and work is undertaken with schools who have pupils with these needs. The over fives are dealt with by CAMHS. The trust also works with the Autistic Society to ensure that all treatment is suitable for each individual's needs.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions on the designation of
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the cases of children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as eligible for disability living allowance. [39386]
Jacqui Smith: I have had no such discussions but understand that parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can claim disability living allowance and have their child's entitlement assessed in the normal way.
Elderly Care
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the spending on care of the elderly per resident of pensionable age in each social service authority was in England and Wales (a) this year and (b) in each of the previous five years; what the average of the spending on care of the elderly per resident of pensionable age in (i) England, (ii) Wales, and (iii) the north-west of England was (A) this year and (B) in each of the previous five years. [39456]
Jacqui Smith: Information on spending on social care for the elderly per resident of pensionable age is not available centrally. Table 1 shows spending per financial year on social care of the elderly per resident aged 65 or over for each council with social services responsibilities in England from 1995–96 to 1999–2000 (the latest year for which data are available). As a result of local government reorganisation, there are differences in the councils in existence during this period. Table 2 shows the average spend on care of the elderly per resident aged 65 or over for England and north-west England. Data for Wales are the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.
UA = Unitary Authority
Sources:
1. Population data—Office for National Statistics
2. Expenditure data—form RO3
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Sources:
1. Population data—Office for National Statistics
2. Expenditure data—form RO3
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