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Cosmetic Prosthesis Services
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the development of a national programme of cosmetic prosthesis services. [63212]
Jacqui Smith: We have no plans to develop a national programme of cosmetic prosthesis services. The national health service already provides silicone cosmesis coverings for prosthetic limbs free of charge to prosthetic limb users. We have made funding available for these coverings totalling £4 million for three years from April 2001 and the full range of prosthetic limb components is now available from disablement service centres.
Hospital Discharges
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 168W, on hospital discharges, in which paragraph and page number in the NHS Plan the target to reduce the number of delayed discharges from hospital by 20 per cent. between March 2002 and March 2003 is set out; [63871]
- (2) whether his target to reduce delayed discharge by 20 per cent. in the period March 2002 to March 2003 is for (a) the number of people that experience delayed discharge and (b) the number of bed days that a person is kept in hospital awaiting discharge. [63814]
Jacqui Smith: The NHS Plan target to reduce the total number of people that experience delayed discharge is in paragraph 12.9 on page 102 and states that we will end widespread bed blocking by 2004. The target to reduce the number of people that experience delayed discharges from hospital by 20 per cent. between March 2002 and March 2003 was set for the national health service as a milestone to progress to this overall target. This is expected to also reduce the number of bed days that people are kept in hospital awaiting discharge.
Long-term Care Beds
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 167W, on long-term care beds, how much in cash terms the 6 per cent. in real terms increase in personal social services will be in each of the next three years. [63867]
Jacqui Smith: The increases in personal social services resources over the next three years which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17 April 2002 are in cash terms 10.3 per cent. for 2003–04, 6.9 per cent. for 2004–05 and 8.8 per cent. for 2005–06, an average annual increase of 8.7 per cent.
Long-term Health
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 167W, regarding long-term health, what generic issues relevant to people with long-term conditions will be set out as part of the NSF for long-term health conditions. [63869]
Jacqui Smith: Following the recent announcement of the scope of the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions, we expect to appoint an external reference group (ERG) by the autumn. The ERG will
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undertake detailed work on developing the NSF and give consideration to the specific conditions and generic issues to be included. Some examples of the generic issues that the ERG could consider include patient and carer involvement, information, rehabilitation, pain management, and care and support in the home.
Headache Disorders
Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to include primary headache disorders in the national service framework for long-term medical conditions. [63694]
Jacqui Smith: The Department has recently confirmed that the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions will focus on developing standards of care for specific neurological conditions and some of the generic issues relevant to people with a long-term condition.
An external reference group (ERG) is expected to be appointed by the autumn. The ERG will undertake detailed work on developing the NSF and will consider the specific conditions to be included. We will draw the ERG's attention to the submissions we have received from Headache UK on headache and migraine.
Local Government Funding (Harrow)
Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the social services element of Harrow council's local government settlement. [63901]
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Jacqui Smith: There is frequent contact between the Department and Harrow council on various issues including the social services element of Harrow's local government finance settlement.
Carers
Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that carers are included in risk assessments relating to professional care providing teams with equivalent health and safety needs; and what recent research he has conducted into the health and safety needs of carers, with special reference to training needs. [62273]
Jacqui Smith: The national strategy for carers, "Caring about Carers", gave advice to social services departments and to the national health service on promoting carers health and safety, including the need for training, and quoted studies about the effect of caring on people's health and safety. The Department also commissioned a report, recently published, from the Office for National Statistics on the "Mental Health of Carers". Earlier this year the Health and Safety Executive published guidance on manual handling, "Handling Home Care", which highlights issues for service providers and their care staff and for service users and their families.
The duties of undertakings, in respect of the health and safety of persons not in their employment, are laid down in section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (SI(99)3242).