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10 Mar 2003 : Column 95W—continued
Top-up Fees
Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 13 February 2003, Official Report, column 969W, on top-up fees, whether his Department will be undertaking studies to assess the impact of the proposed introduction of university top-up fees on the pension contributions of those under 40 years of age. [101288]
Mr. McCartney: The Department's regular annual review of future research requirements is currently under way, and when it is complete, the Research Programme will be published. At this stage, we are unable to provide details of plans for specific studies. However, following publication on 17 December 2002 of the Green Paper, "Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement" (Cm 5677), identifying and remedying gaps in our information on pension accumulation and savings behaviour is a priority for the Department.
Winter Fuel Payment
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people who have to make a claim for the 2002–03 winter fuel payment before the 30 March cut-off date; and of that number how many have yet to do so. [99955]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 17 December 2002, Official Report, column 607W.
However, further to that answer, I would like to clarify the figures provided. They included written requests for claim forms. As at 28 February 2003, some 205,000 actual claim forms had been received.
It is up to an individual to decide whether or not to make a claim.
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HEALTH
Alzheimer's Disease
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list general practitioners who have piloted the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's disease; [100422]
- (2) if he will publish the findings of the Technologies Advisory Group study into the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's in November 2001; [100423]
(3) on what basis the Technologies Advisory Group in his Department declined to recommend the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's disease for assessment by NICE; [100421]
(4) how many people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each PCT area; [100547]
(5) what tests are available through the NHS to detect early onset of Alzheimer's disease. [100420]
Jacqui Smith: Information is not available about the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each primary care trust area. Research shows that about 5 per cent. of the population over 65 has dementia, and Alzheimer's disease causes about 60 per cent. of cases of dementia.
A number of different tests are available to detect the early onset of Alzheimer's disease. Consideration is being given to the possibility of guidance on methods for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, including the CANTAB-PAL test, in the context of a possible National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on management of dementia generally. Decisions on topics to be referred to NICE are taken by Ministers on the basis of advice from the Advisory Committee for Topic Selection (previously the Technologies Advisory Group). Final decisions will be announced shortly.
Ambulance Call-outs
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of ambulance call outs to people over the age of (a) 50 and (b) 65 in each of the last five years for which figures are available have been as a result of a fall. [100112]
Mr. Lammy: The information requested is not available centrally.
Area Child Protection Committees
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 10 February 2003, Official Report, column 586W, on ACPCs, which area child protection committees are complying with his guidance. [100536]
Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not held centrally.
Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust
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on (a) improving the level of cleanliness, (b) ensuring syringes, needles and other equipment are kept in a hygienic state, (c) the safe storage of needles and syringes in paediatric areas, (d) the need to keep refrigerators used to store drugs locked, (e) the proper storage of equipment and (f) the quality of food provided for patients at Oldchurch Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [99402]
Mr. Hutton: Oldchurch hospital was inspected by a patient environment action team (PEAT) on 21 February 2002. Overall standards of both the environment and food were assessed as acceptable and the hospital has been awarded Amber status. A further inspection will be undertaken as part of the current PEAT assessment programme.
Additionally, all hospitals are required to meet the national cleaning standards for the National Health Service, issued in 2001. These standards are currently being revised to include equipment frequently cleaned by nursing staff such as diagnostic equipment, trolleys and drip stands.
It is the responsibility of individual trusts to ensure the safety of items such as needles, syringes and drugs and that they are stored in a safe and hygienic environment and in line with the Controls Assurance standards and related regulations. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 lays a duty on employers to ensure the health and safety of their staff. Under this statute NHS employers are required to carry out a risk assessment in relation to the safe storage, use and disposal of all sharps and needles. Responsibility for ensuring compliance with the legislation lies with the Health and Safety Executive.
Care Homes
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 26W, on care homes, whether the statutory instrument will be (a) negative and (b) affirmative. [100139]
Jacqui Smith: The relevant procedure for the necessary statutory instrument will be the negative procedure.
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had recently with the health authorities in the London Borough of Havering regarding residential care home provision. [99745]
Jacqui Smith: I have had no recent discussions with the health authorities in the London Borough of Havering. The council is the lead agency for commissioning residential care provision. The council will work in partnership with local primary care trusts in determining the local need for this type of care.
Consultant Rheumatologists
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of consultant rheumatologists; and if he will make a statement. [101658]
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Mr. Hutton [holding answer 7 March 2003]: Between 1997 and 2002, the number of consultants in rheumatology has increased by 90, or 26.5 per cent., from 340 in September 1997 to 430 in March 2002.
We are also increasing specialist registrars (SpR) numbers. For 2003–04, trusts will have scope to create up to 40 locally funded SpR training opportunities in the specialty.
Current workforce projections indicate that by September 2004, there will be around 80 additional trained specialists in rheumatology over September 2000 levels.
Correspondence
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter to him from Mr. Ken Mack of Wrexham dated 14 September 2002. [101143]
Jacqui Smith: A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 6 March.
Foundation Hospitals
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the details of the preliminary application process for foundation trusts, as sent to potential applicants for foundation status. [100845]
Mr. Hutton: Details of the preliminary application process sent to potential applicants for national health service foundation trust status have been placed in the Library.
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations, not currently part of the NHS, will be eligible to apply for NHS foundation trust status. [100846]
Mr. Hutton: Forthcoming legislation will set out the process for the Independent Regulator for national health service foundation trusts to consider applications for NHS foundation trust status.
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways foundation trusts will be freed from detailed performance management, as stated in paragraph 1.12 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'; and if this refers also to three star trusts without foundation status. [100849]
Mr. Hutton: The proposed arrangements for national health service foundation trusts are explained in paragraph 4.1 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'.
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to ensure that foundation trust board of governors will represent the full range of members' interests. [100850]
Mr. Hutton: Our policy on the election of the Board of Governors is explained in paragraph 2.25 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to ensure that foundation trusts use their freedoms to give staff unlimited pay bonuses in a way which does not undermine other providers in the local health economy. [100851]
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Mr. Hutton: The exercise of any of the proposed freedoms which national health service foundation trusts will enjoy will be a matter for the trust to decide, subject to the role of the Independent Regulator. Details will be set out in forthcoming legislation.
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers a board of governors will have in relation to the management of foundation hospitals. [100847]
Mr. Hutton: Our policy on the powers and duties of the board of governors of a national health service foundation trust is explained in paragraphs 2.32 and 2.33 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the requirements to be included in the licences of foundation hospitals. [100848]
Mr. Hutton: Our policy is explained in paragraph 3.4 of 'A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts'. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.
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Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which trade unions he has met to discuss his proposals for foundation trusts; when the meetings were; and which unions have expressed support for his proposals. [101661]
Mr. Hutton: I discuss a range of issues at the regular meetings that I have with trade unions.
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