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4 Feb 2003 : Column 219W—continued
Food Additives
Mr. Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total value of the domestic market for (a) food colourings and (b) approved food additives was in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [92336]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 21 January 2003]: I have been asked to reply.
The Department does not collect statistics on the value of the market and trade for these items.
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Foundation Hospitals
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many three star hospitals (a) have been invited to apply and (b) have applied for foundation hospital status. [94042]
Mr. Hutton [holding answer 28 January 2003]: Following publication of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts on 11 December 2002, applications to become foundation trusts have been invited from acute and specialist NHS trusts, which achieved three star status in the NHS performance ratings, published in July 2002.
The application process has now begun and the closing date for preliminary applications is 28 February 2003. In March 2003, we intend to announce a shortlist of candidates once preliminary applications have been assessed.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have taken place between the Department and Chairman and Chief Executives of three star hospital trusts regarding applications for foundation hospital trust status. [94043]
Mr. Hutton [holding answer 28 January 2003]: Departmental officials are engaging in on-going discussions, covering all aspects of the policy for the establishment of national health service foundation trusts, with the current cohort of three star acute and specialist trusts.
GP Provision (Southend)
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to meet patient demand for general practitioners in Southend-on-Sea. [94985]
Mr. Lammy: Southend Primary Care Trust (PCT) is undertaking a number of initiatives to meet patient demand for general practitioners. It has been involved in international recruitment since September 2002 and is in the final stages of contract negotiations to recruit general practitioners from Spain.
In addition the PCT is working to increase the numbers of nurse practitioners in Southend to give more time for general practitioners to focus on those patients with higher levels of need.
Health Professionals (Contagious Diseases)
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) other health professionals have (i) HIV and (ii) hepatitis B, broken down by country of birth, at the most recent date for which information is available. [94925]
Ms Blears: We do not hold this information centrally. However, we have recently published for consultation draft guidance for the national health service entitled "Health clearance for serious communicable diseases: new health care workers"—http://www.doh.gov.uk/healthclear.
This guidance proposes strengthening existing health checks for tuberculosis and hepatitis B and introducing new ones for HIV and hepatitis C. We will be considering monitoring needs as part of implementation of the guidance following consultation.
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Health Protection Agency (Staff)
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risk of a loss of staff expertise during the formation of the Health Protection Agency; and what measures he has put in place to prevent this. [94955]
Ms Blears: Records of staff turnover are not held centrally. However, information from each of the component organisations indicates that there have been no dramatic increases in the overall number of staff resignations. The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has indicated that there are above average resignations in a small number of management posts, potentially directly affected by the proposed changes. The Department will be working with the PHLS board to address any business continuity issues that may arise as a consequence.
HPA
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what terms and conditions of employment will apply to staff in the HPA after 1 April; and how these will differ from current terms and conditions. [90053]
Ms Blears: Staff transferring to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will retain their terms and conditions of employment, which apply at the time of transfer, until harmonised terms and conditions of employment are agreed with recognised trade unions. The HPA as a special health authority will adopt National Health Service terms and conditions of employment for new employees.
It is the intention to establish the HPA as a non-departmental public body when legislative time permits. It would then be a matter for the HPA board to determine, subject to consultation, what terms and conditions will apply.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the 1 per cent. increase in Employers' National Insurance contributions will be fully funded for the HPA and its component organisations. [90057]
Ms Blears: The allocation for the Health Protection Agency is still to be confirmed. In coming to a decision, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will have regard to all the pressures which the organisation will have to meet in the coming year.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work the HPA Steering Group has done to allocate budgets to the different component organisations for 2003–04; and how those budgets differ from the current financial year. [90072]
Ms Blears: Work is ongoing to establish costs and pressures in the component parts so that when the total available is announced the steering group will be in a position to make a recommendation to the Health Protection Agency board.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on plans to introduce an HPA payroll system. [90135]
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Ms Blears: From 1 April 2003, the Health Protection Agency will operate the two payroll systems transferring from the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of prescriptions via the NHS were for patients receiving jobseeker's allowance in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [94265]
- (2) how many patient prescriptions claimed to be receiving jobseeker's allowance in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [94266]
Mr. Lammy: The available information, in respect of England, is shown in the table.
| Number of prescription items (millions) | Percentage of total items dispensed | |
|---|---|---|
| Income based jobseeker's allowance | Income based jobseeker's allowance as a percentage of total items dispensed | |
| 1997 | 2.4 | 0.5 |
| 1998 | 4.4 | 0.9 |
| 1999 | 6.1 | 1.3 |
| 2000 | 6.7 | 1.3 |
| 2001 | 6.3 | 1.2 |
The information is in respect of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors. Information is only available separately in respect of recipients of income based jobseekers allowance.
Midwifery
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the future provision for midwifery training; and if he will make a statement. [94267]
Jacqui Smith: Between 1996–97 and 2001–02, the number of students entering training to become a midwife, both by direct training and the post-registration route from nursing, has increased by 226 (14 per cent.). Latest figures suggest a further increase of around 200 in the current financial year. We are expecting further increases in the numbers entering midwifery training over the next three years. Plans are currently being developed by workforce development confederations.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and workforce development confederations are required to ensure that midwifery education is quality assured. A benchmark statement for midwifery education was published in 2002. It brings together all the stakeholder requirements, i.e., the NMC, workforce development confederations and higher education, as a single shared statement that describes the nature, characteristics and expected standards and learning outcomes of midwifery programmes.
During the academic years 2003–06, all national health service funded midwifery education, alongside nursing and allied health professional education, will be reviewed, against respective benchmark statements,
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using the new integrated and streamlined process of major review. Reports will be published for each higher education institution and their associated workforce development confederation.
Mixed Sex Wards
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the use of mixed sex wards. [94838]
Mr. Hutton: In 1997 we made a commitment to end mixed-sex accommodation in 95 per cent., of national health service trusts by December 2002. The NHS responded with drive and determination and has now met or exceeded the targets we set. The elimination of mixed sex accommodation is an exceptional achievement and testament to the commitment of professionals across the NHS.
May I also refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made on 14 January 2003, Official Report, column 24WS.
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