House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 17 Jun 2002 (pt 40)

Birmingham Care Consortium

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he and Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the Birmingham Care Consortium in the last two months. [61454]

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Jacqui Smith: None. I wrote to Mr. M. R. Grimson of the Birmingham Care Consortium on 7 May 2002 about the consortium's negotiations with Birmingham city council on care home fees.

Career Grade Doctors

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-consultant career grade doctors are employed in the NHS in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [61431]

Mr. Hutton: Available data are shown in the table.

Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS): Non-consultant career grades

England at 30 September 2001 Number

Associate specialist 1,630

Clinical assistant 5,030

Hospital practitioner 930

Staff grade 4,970

England at 30 September 2001	Number
Associate specialist	1,630
Clinical assistant	5,030
Hospital practitioner	930
Staff grade	4,970

Source:

Department of Health 2001 medical and dental work force census

Nursing Applicants

Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many overseas nursing applicants are awaiting admission to the UK nursing register; and if he will make a statement. [61156]

Mr. Hutton: There are currently 5,800 overseas applications awaiting a decision from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) regarding entry to the UK nursing register. The NMC has a programme of action to clear these outstanding applications.

Foot Care

Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 142W, on foot care, how many (a) professions and (b) projects were covered by the £3 million allocated for 2001–02. [61518]

Mr. Hutton: In August 2001, 13 universities and colleges, in partnership with 11 work force development confederations were identified as "first wave" sites for the modernisation of allied health professions education. The professions included in the first wave are:

Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapy

Radiography

Chiropody/Podiatry

Speech and Language therapy.

Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 142W, on foot care, what amount was spent on education and training programmes for podiatrists and chiropodists. [61517]

Jacqui Smith: The spend for England and also the South East on pre-registration training programmes for podiatrists and chiropodists, excluding bursaries, together

17 Jun 2002 : Column 146W

with the student population figures, are shown in the following tables. Information on student bursary spend is no longer collected.

£000

2000–01⁽⁵⁵⁾ 2001–02⁽⁵⁶⁾

Total spend (England) 5,668 6,654

Spend (south-east) 1,296 1,677

	2000–01⁽⁵⁵⁾	2001–02⁽⁵⁶⁾
Total spend (England)	5,668	6,654
Spend (south-east)	1,296	1,677

⁽⁵⁵⁾ Actual spend

⁽⁵⁶⁾ Forecast spend

Note:

The forecast spend is subject to final outturn

Source:

Financial and Workforce Information Return (FWIR) November 2001

2000–01⁽⁵⁷⁾ 2001–02⁽⁵⁸⁾

Student population (England) 921 1,038

Student population (south-east) 251 278

	2000–01⁽⁵⁷⁾	2001–02⁽⁵⁸⁾
Student population (England)	921	1,038
Student population (south-east)	251	278

⁽⁵⁷⁾ Actual student population

⁽⁵⁸⁾ Forecast student population

Note:

The forecast spend is subject to final outturn

Source:

Financial and Workforce Information Return (FWIR) November 2001

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones), of 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 691W, on chiropody, how many of the 6,500 proposed extra professionals will be chiropodists. [61941]

Jacqui Smith: As at 30 September 2001 there were 3,400 more qualified therapists and other professional staff than at 30 September 1999. Of these, 190 (6 per cent.) are chiropodists. We would expect this proportion of chiropodists to be broadly similar in 2004.

Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting for an appointment with an NHS chiropodist, broken down by health authority, on 1 May in each year since 1996. [60724]

Mr. Hutton: The Department does not collect waiting times or numbers of people waiting for an appointment with an national health service chiropodist.

Residential/Nursing Home Beds

Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential and nursing home beds were available in England, broken down by local authority, at the end of each year since 1996–97. [61776]

Jacqui Smith: Information on the total number of residential care beds, shown by local authority, and information on the total number of nursing care beds are shown in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

National Health Service Pensions Agency

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken by the National Health Service Pensions Agency (a) to identify and (b) to pursue and recover overpayments. [61344]

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Mr. Hutton: The National Health Service Pensions Agency operates internal controls to ensure the correct pension benefits are being paid, including periodic checks on entitlement to ongoing pension payments. As reported in the resource accounts for the NHS pension scheme the agency also takes part in the national fraud initiative co-ordinated by the Audit Commission, to ensure pension payments were still being made to the individual originally entitled to the pension.

Once overpayments have been identified, the agency has a special team who pursue recovery in accordance with the guidance in Government Accounting. Where necessary, cases are referred to solicitors for recovery, or, in cases involving fraud, to counter fraud specialists in the Department or the police.

Waiting Times

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the latest available figures for the number of people waiting more than six months for in-patient treatment in Dorset. [62569]

Mr. Hutton: The information requested is collected centrally at trust level. The information for the Dorset area is shown in the table.

In-patient waiting list data for NHS trusts in Dorset,as of 30 April 2002

NHS trust Total waiting list Number waiting over six months

Dorset health care 0 0

Poole hospital 2,207 4

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals 3,377 64

West Dorset General hospitals 1,856 5

NHS trust	Total waiting list	Number waiting over six months
Dorset health care	0	0
Poole hospital	2,207	4
Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals	3,377	64
West Dorset General hospitals	1,856	5

Source:

DH monthly returns

April 2002 is the most recent month for which information is available.

17 Jun 2002 : Column 148W

Children in Care

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) agency staff, (b) positions unfilled for (i) one month and (ii) three months and (c) staff in children in care settings there were in each quarter of each of the last three years. [61368]

Jacqui Smith: We do not collect information on the numbers of agency staff who work in child care settings. Information about the number of child care positions unfilled is not collected on a regular basis. Ad hoc surveys have been undertaken in the past which have determined the vacancy rates in child care posts in social services departments or in the private sector. The last survey undertaken in this area was for 'Community Homes for Children Looked After' run by local authorities in England and Wales, and it was undertaken in 1999. This survey stated that in England the overall full-time and part-time vacancy rates were both 10.3 per cent.

However, local authority social services departments in England complete an annual return giving information about the staff they employ as at 30 September. The data from this return gives the number of whole time equivalent staff employed in child and family services as follows:

Number of staff

1999 38,005

2000 38,505

2001 38,195

	Number of staff
1999	38,005
2000	38,505
2001	38,195

Notes:

The actual numbers of staff employed by local councils are greater than the above figures as some of these staff work only part-time.

The above figures do not take into account those central and strategic staff and certain other categories of staff who provide more generic services across a range of council responsibilities.

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) percentage and (b) number of children in care in each (i) region and (ii) health authority broken down by ethnic background, in each of the last five years. [61353]

Jacqui Smith: Data available at 31 March is shown in the following tables. Data is not available for any years prior to this.

Number of children looked after at 31 March 2001 by ethnic origin and Government region

Ethnic origin

All children White Mixed rate Asian or Asian British Black or Black British Other ethnic groups

England 58,900 48,200 3,800 1,100 4,000 1,800

North East 3,400 3,300 110 ⁽⁵⁹⁾— 10 ⁽⁵⁹⁾—

North West 7,300 6,600 410 120 100 60

Merseyside 2,400 2,200 90 ⁽⁵⁹⁾— 150 ⁽⁵⁹⁾—

Yorkshire and Humberside 6,500 5,800 420 150 70 20

East Midlands 4,100 3,700 350 60 70 20

West Midlands 6,500 5,200 450 220 380 170

South West 4,900 4,500 240 20 100 90

Eastern 5,200 4,700 260 70 100 100

London 11,000 5,700 1,100 410 2,800 900

South East 7,700 6,500 350 100 290 420

		Ethnic origin
	All children	White	Mixed rate	Asian or Asian British	Black or Black British	Other ethnic groups
England	58,900	48,200	3,800	1,100	4,000	1,800
North East	3,400	3,300	110	⁽⁵⁹⁾—	10	⁽⁵⁹⁾—
North West	7,300	6,600	410	120	100	60
Merseyside	2,400	2,200	90	⁽⁵⁹⁾—	150	⁽⁵⁹⁾—
Yorkshire and Humberside	6,500	5,800	420	150	70	20
East Midlands	4,100	3,700	350	60	70	20
West Midlands	6,500	5,200	450	220	380	170
South West	4,900	4,500	240	20	100	90
Eastern	5,200	4,700	260	70	100	100
London	11,000	5,700	1,100	410	2,800	900
South East	7,700	6,500	350	100	290	420

⁽⁵⁹⁾ Figure has been suppressed for reasons of confidentiality.

Notes:

Table excludes children looked after under a series of short-term placements.

All figures over a thousand have been rounded to the nearest hundred; other figures rounded to the nearest ten.

Percentage of children looked after at 31 March 2001 by ethnic origin and Government regionpercentage

Ethnic origin

All children (=100%) White Mixed race Asian or Asian British Black or Black British Other ethnic groups

England 58,900 82 6 2 7 3

North East 3,400 96 3 ⁽⁶⁰⁾— 0 ⁽⁶⁰⁾—

North West 7,300 91 6 2 1 1

Merseyside 2,400 89 4 ⁽⁶⁰⁾— 6 ⁽⁶⁰⁾—

Yorkshire and Humberside 6,500 90 6 2 1 0

East Midlands 4,100 88 8 1 2 0

West Midlands 6,500 81 7 3 6 3

South West 4,900 91 5 0 2 2

Eastern 5,200 90 5 1 2 2

London 11,000 52 10 4 25 8

South East 7,700 85 5 1 4 5

		Ethnic origin
	All children (=100%)	White	Mixed race	Asian or Asian British	Black or Black British	Other ethnic groups
England	58,900	82	6	2	7	3
North East	3,400	96	3	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	0	⁽⁶⁰⁾—
North West	7,300	91	6	2	1	1
Merseyside	2,400	89	4	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	6	⁽⁶⁰⁾—
Yorkshire and Humberside	6,500	90	6	2	1	0
East Midlands	4,100	88	8	1	2	0
West Midlands	6,500	81	7	3	6	3
South West	4,900	91	5	0	2	2
Eastern	5,200	90	5	1	2	2
London	11,000	52	10	4	25	8
South East	7,700	85	5	1	4	5

⁽⁶⁰⁾ Figure has been suppressed for reasons of confidentiality.

Notes:

Table excludes children looked after under a series of short-term placements.

All figures over a thousand have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

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Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the (a) number of children placed and (b) reasons for children being placed in (i) foster care and (ii) care for each of the last five years for which figures are available. [61357]

Jacqui Smith: The available information is shown in the tables.

Number of looked after children who started one or more periods of foster placement during the years ending 31 March 1997–2000, by the reason for being looked after recorded for the first episode of the first foster placement started during the year

Reason for being looked after 1997 1998 1999 2000

All children 32,900 33,300 32,400 32,700

No parents 350 460 540 640

Abandoned or lost 940 980 1,100 1,300

Family or child homeless 250 230 240 250

Parent(s) in prison 440 400 430 410

Breakdown of adoptive family 90 70 70 90

Preliminary to adoption 460 500 480 440

Parent's health 3,900 4,000 3,500 3,000

Parents/families need relief:

child with disabilities 230 260 250 200

other 7,800 7,300 6,100 5,700

Abuse or neglect 10,000 11,200 12,200 13,400

Concern for child's welfare 2,700 2,600 2,700 2,700

Own behaviour 1,400 1,300 1,200 1,100

Accused or guilty of an offence 710 800 740 690

At request of child 730 640 590 530

Other 2,900 2,500 2,200 2,400

Reason for being looked after	1997	1998	1999	2000
All children	32,900	33,300	32,400	32,700

No parents	350	460	540	640
Abandoned or lost	940	980	1,100	1,300
Family or child homeless	250	230	240	250
Parent(s) in prison	440	400	430	410
Breakdown of adoptive family	90	70	70	90
Preliminary to adoption	460	500	480	440
Parent's health	3,900	4,000	3,500	3,000
Parents/families need relief:
child with disabilities	230	260	250	200
other	7,800	7,300	6,100	5,700
Abuse or neglect	10,000	11,200	12,200	13,400
Concern for child's welfare	2,700	2,600	2,700	2,700
Own behaviour	1,400	1,300	1,200	1,100
Accused or guilty of an offence	710	800	740	690
At request of child	730	640	590	530
Other	2,900	2,500	2,200	2,400

Notes:

1. Figures are for England.

2. Year ending 31 March.

3. Table excludes children looked after under a series of short- term placements.

4. Number of children starting a new period of foster placement during the year exceeds the number of children starting to be looked after in the year in a foster placement. Some children starting a new period of foster placement in the year will actually have started to be looked after in a previous year.

5. All numbers over 1,000 have been rounded to the nearest 100; other figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

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Number of looked after children who started one or more periods of placements during the years ending 31 March 1997–2000, by the reason for being looked after recorded for the first episode of the first placement started during the year

Reason for being looked after 1997 1998 1999 2000

All children 44,300 44,900 44,800 45,800

No parents 520 600 810 1,100

Abandoned or lost 1,200 1,200 1,400 1,700

Family or child homeless 400 350 390 340

Parent(s) in prison 480 430 500 450

Breakdown of adoptive family 120 100 110 130

Preliminary to adoption 570 620 640 610

Parent's health 4,200 4,300 3,800 3,400

Parents/families need relief:

child with disabilities 520 530 610 490

other 9,600 9,000 7,900 7,400

Abuse or neglect 13,600 15,300 16,800 18,200

Concern for child's welfare 3,500 3,400 3,600 3,500

Own behaviour 2,400 2,300 2,100 2,000

Accused or guilty of an offence 1,900 2,000 1,800 1,800

At request of child 1,100 930 760 760

Other 4,300 4,000 3,700 3,900

Reason for being looked after	1997	1998	1999	2000
All children	44,300	44,900	44,800	45,800

No parents	520	600	810	1,100
Abandoned or lost	1,200	1,200	1,400	1,700
Family or child homeless	400	350	390	340
Parent(s) in prison	480	430	500	450
Breakdown of adoptive family	120	100	110	130
Preliminary to adoption	570	620	640	610
Parent's health	4,200	4,300	3,800	3,400
Parents/families need relief:
child with disabilities	520	530	610	490
other	9,600	9,000	7,900	7,400
Abuse or neglect	13,600	15,300	16,800	18,200
Concern for child's welfare	3,500	3,400	3,600	3,500
Own behaviour	2,400	2,300	2,100	2,000
Accused or guilty of an offence	1,900	2,000	1,800	1,800
At request of child	1,100	930	760	760
Other	4,300	4,000	3,700	3,900

Notes:

1. Figures are for England.

2. Year ending 31 March.

3. Table excludes children looked after under a series of short- term placements.

4. Number of children starting a new period of placement during the year exceeds the number of children starting to be looked after in the year, as some children starting a new period of placement in the year will actually have started to be looked after in a previous year.

5. All numbers over 1,000 have been rounded to the nearest 100; other figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Number of looked after children who started one or more periods of placements during the years ending 31 March 2001, by the recorded Category of Need for the first placement started during the year

Type of placement

Category of Need Foster placements All placements

All children 29,800 41,700

Abuse or neglect 15,800 22,000

Disability 610 1,100

Parent's illness or disability 2,700 3,200

Family in acute stress 3,200 4,100

Family dysfunction 3,800 5,200

Socially unacceptable behaviour 1,500 2,900

Low income 280 320

Absent parenting 1,900 2,900

	Type of placement
Category of Need	Foster placements	All placements
All children	29,800	41,700

Abuse or neglect	15,800	22,000
Disability	610	1,100
Parent's illness or disability	2,700	3,200
Family in acute stress	3,200	4,100
Family dysfunction	3,800	5,200
Socially unacceptable behaviour	1,500	2,900
Low income	280	320
Absent parenting	1,900	2,900

Notes:

1. Figures are for England.

2. Table excludes children looked after under a series of short- term placements.

3. Number of children starting a new period of placement during the year exceeds the number of children starting to be looked after in the year, as some children starting a new period of placement will have started to be looked after in a previous year.

4. All numbers over 1,000 have been rounded to the nearest 100; other figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

17 Jun 2002 : Column 151W

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) types and (b) number of prescriptions of medication that have been given to children in care over the last five years. [61361]

Jacqui Smith: The details of prescriptions given to individual children are contained in confidential health records which do not identify children as being in care. While individual carers will be aware of the type and number of prescriptions given to a child, this information is not available for aggregation.

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) percentage and (b) number of children in care in each (i) region and (ii) health authority broken down into (a) mental and (b) physical disability, in each of the last five years. [61352]

Jacqui Smith: Information on mental disability of children in care is not held centrally. The other information is not available in the form requested.

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) percentage and (b) number of children in care in each (i) region and (ii) health authority (A) had an abortion and (B) gave birth while in care in each of the last five years. [61359]

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not currently collected at national level. One survey of care leavers showed that a quarter had a child by the age of 16. A robust method for collecting data on births among looked-after-children is being developed as part of the national indicator set for monitoring the teenage pregnancy strategy.

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of stay in (a) foster care and (b) children in care settings has been in each of the last five years. [61356]

Jacqui Smith: The information available is shown in the table.

Average duration of placements, of looked after children, ceasing during the years ending 31 March 1997 to 2001, by type of placementEngland Average duration (days)

Type of placement

Foster placements All placements

1997 216 210

1998 213 215

1999 231 223

2000 231 228

2001 256 248

	Type of placement
	Foster placements	All placements
1997	216	210
1998	213	215
1999	231	223
2000	231	228
2001	256	248

Note:

The table excludes children looked after under a series of short-term placements.

17 Jun 2002 : Column 152W

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