---

Correspondence

Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter to him dated 3 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A Starkie. [61689]

Mr. Milburn: A reply was sent on the 2 July.

Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 15 May from the right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Greenhalgh. [66206]

Mr. Milburn: A reply was sent on 2 July.

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters from the honourable Member for Maidenhead of 19 February and 25 April regarding a constituent, Mrs. Preston on the MMR vaccine and autism. [66346]

3 Jul 2002 : Column 450W

Ms Blears [holding answer 2 July 2002]: A reply was sent on 3 July.

Free Influenza Injections

Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many free influenza injections have been given to pensioners in each quarter since the scheme was launched; and if he will make a statement. [65583]

Jacqui Smith: Flu immunisations are carried out between October and December each year.

In 2000–01 4,965,370 aged 65 and over received their free influenza immunisation and 5,113,036 received their immunisation in 2001–02.

Disability Equipment Services

Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken in response to the recommendations made in the Audit Commission's Fully Equipped report on the provision of disability equipment services for older and disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [66263]

Jacqui Smith: Following up its 2000 report 'Fully Equipped', the Audit Commission published 'Fully Equipped 2002' on 27 June 2002. The latter recognises the steps the Government took in response to the first. As an initial response to the new report, I am asking the national support team for the integration of community equipment services to review its action plan in the light of the Commission's recommendations and to produce commissioning guidelines for community equipment services by the autumn. Since the first report was issued the process of modernising hearing aid services has progressed to the point that about a third of the country will be benefiting from a modernised service, including the provision of digital hearing aids, by the end of this financial year. Work is also underway to spread good practice across the country's wheelchair services.

The report affords a welcome opportunity to: remind health and social services of the importance of orthotic, prosthetic, community equipment, wheelchair and audiology services; encourage commissioners of these services to act upon the recommendations; and highlight the importance of using appropriately the additional funding the Government made available for community equipment services.

Work-place Health

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the role of the Health Department Agency will be with respect to workplace health. [66686]

Ms Blears: The health development agency (HDA) is a special health authority, working to improve the health of people and communities in England, in particular, to reduce health inequalities. In partnership with others, it gathers evidence of what works, advises on standards and develops the skills of all those working to improve people's health.

Employment is a major health determinant. The focus for this year's work on employment and health will be exploring the evidence for the health impacts of changes in work status such as unemployment, incapacity, or retirement.

3 Jul 2002 : Column 451W

A website for supporting standards for workplace health interventions and well-being is currently being constructed by the HDA. The site will provide a tool for employers and managers of businesses and public sector organisations to address workplace health in a sustainable manner based on the needs of staff and the capacity of the organisation. Furthermore, the site will act as a portal to other workplace health-related websites spanning human resource and general management, equality issues, occupational health, health and safety, environmental impact and corporate social responsibility. The website will go live during 'Health and Safety Week' in October 2002.

The HDA works closely with the Department of Work and Pensions, and has been asked to act in an advisory capacity on specific projects. The HDA also advises the Department and the Health and Safety Executive as required on public health issues.

Cancer

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support is given to cancer patients during their treatment. [66359]

Ms Blears: As part of the implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan we are developing a supportive care strategy. The strategy will ensure that people affected by cancer are able to access the right professional support, treatment and help, from when cancer is first suspected through to death and into bereavement. As part of the strategy, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been asked to develop and publish evidence-based guidance on supportive and palliative care. The initial NICE findings will be available from autumn 2002 and will include guidance on psychological and social support for patients and carers.

University Hospital Coventry and

Warwickshire NHS Trust

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement as to whether the NHS will be making an enhancement to the pension arrangements for the chief executive of the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust when he retires; and how much this will amount to. [46820]

Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The chief executive of the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire National Health Service Trust resigned voluntarily and I am advised that the trust will not be making an enhancement to the pension arrangements.

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether pressure was put on the chief executive of the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust by (a) Ministers and (b) the NHS executive to resign. [46823]

Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 April 2002]: I am advised by the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire National Health Service Trust and officials at the NHS West Midlands regional office that the chief executive of the trust resigned voluntarily.

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement as to whether the NHS will be paying (a) redundancy pay, (b) compensation and (c) an ex-gratia

3 Jul 2002 : Column 452W

payment to the Chief Executive of the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust when he retires; and how much this will amount to. [46819]

Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The chief executive of the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is an employee of that organisation. The terms of his leaving his employment are for the trust board to determine within employment law and with regard to the Department's guidance.

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement as to whether the Chief Executive of the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust will be offered another post within the NHS following his retirement. [46821]

Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Executive appointments within the national health service are a matter for the employing body concerned. All appointments should be made on merit and should take into account relevant factors that might bear upon the capability of candidates.

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to date is in (a) salaries paid, (b) management costs and (c) other related costs arising out of the suspension of consultants at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. [46818]

Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The total cost incurred by the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in regard to the suspension of Mr. Barros D'Sa is £219,563. This cost includes elements relating to the salary of the suspended consultant, costs of locum cover, the setting up of an Inquiry Panel in accordance with HC(90)9, legal and court costs and mediation meeting costs.

The approximate cost incurred by the trust in regard to the suspension of Miss Briony Ackroyd to date is £467,387 based on legal costs, locum costs and salary.

The approximate cost incurred by the trust due to the suspension of Dr R K Mattu is £57,000 based on legal costs, locum costs and salary.

Joint Committee on Vaccination and

Immunisation

Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation are; and what their institutional and commercial affiliations are. [53896]

Ms Blears [holding answer 2 May 2002]: The information requested is available in the Library.

---