House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 11 Nov 2003 (pt 27)

11 Nov 2003 : Column 264W—continued

Drug Misuse

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the waiting time for treatment for drug abuse in Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [137510]

Dr. Ladyman: Shropshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is responsible for drug misuse services in Shropshire.

Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority reports that the PCT's drug action team has taken part in the 'Opening Doors' programme promoted by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse and the NHS Modernisation Agency.

As a result, significant progress has already been made on waiting times in Shropshire. The latest figures show waiting times of between two and five weeks, depending on the kind of treatment.

Food Supplements Directive

Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to raise with the relevant European Commissioner the interpretation of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive; and if he will make a statement; [135263]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays out a framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The United Kingdom continues to press for European Union maximum permitted limits to be set on a safety basis, and in doing so, is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. I intend to raise this issue with Ministers in other member states as and when appropriate. I am also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practicable opportunity.

General Practitioners

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on implementing the target for 48-hour access to an appointment with a general practitioner. [136107]

11 Nov 2003 : Column 265W

Mr. Hutton: At September 2003, 93 per cent. of patients could be offered an appointment with a general practitioner within two working days. This represents considerable progress over the position in 1998, when only around 50 per cent. of people had this level of access.

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on ensuring adequate general practitioner coverage in communities without a local surgery. [136467]

Mr. Hutton: Each local primary care trust (PCT) is under a duty to secure provision of primary medical services for all people in its area. PCTs may deploy a variety of strategies to deliver this.

11 Nov 2003 : Column 266W

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the general practitioner vacancy (a) rate and (b) number was in each English region in each year since 1997. [137366]

Mr. Hutton [holding answer 10 November 2003]: The Department's annual GP Recruitment and Retention Vacancy Survey started only from the year 2000.

The estimated three-month general practitioner (GP) vacancy rate for England in 2003 was 3.4 per cent. This is an increase from 2.7 per cent. in 2002. It is not possible to produce reliable estimates of the vacancy rate at strategic health authority (SHA) level. Estimated three-month vacancy rates are not available before 2002.

The number of GP vacancies for each SHA since 2000 is shown in the table. This represents a count of all GP vacancies that have occurred during each year. It will include turnover posts, and also posts created to boost expansion, even where they were filled very quickly. Thus, the increase in vacancies in part is a result of there being more posts overall, reflecting the Government's plan to increase the GP workforce.

England GP vacancy numbers by SHA from 2000 to 2003

2000 2001 2002 2003

England total 1,143 2,345 2,487 3,245

Of which:

Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 67 117 114 166

Bedford and Hertfordshire 22 80 94 107

Birmingham and the Black Country 45 116 157 104

Cheshire and Merseyside 73 111 125 115

County Durham and Tees Valley 34 69 101 110

Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire 25 56 54 44

Cumbria and Lancashire 30 93 99 121

Essex 29 66 79 157

Greater Manchester 38 51 92 164

Hampshire and Isle of Wight 55 107 122 121

Kent and Medway 42 54 41 97

Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 44 89 123 133

Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 33 79 25 124

North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 32 76 85 94

North Central London 22 78 80 53

North East London 18 55 17 104

North West London 49 60 93 78

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 28 67 60 105

Shropshire and Staffordshire 54 74 108 101

Somerset and Dorset 31 69 93 73

South East London 38 101 81 179

South West London 16 42 29 45

South West Peninsula 34 48 51 94

South Yorkshire 40 76 68 118

Surrey and Sussex 66 90 120 153

Thames Valley 43 129 95 106

Trent 67 145 174 201

West Yorkshire 68 147 107 178

	2000	2001	2002	2003
England total	1,143	2,345	2,487	3,245
Of which:
Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire	67	117	114	166
Bedford and Hertfordshire	22	80	94	107
Birmingham and the Black Country	45	116	157	104
Cheshire and Merseyside	73	111	125	115
County Durham and Tees Valley	34	69	101	110
Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire	25	56	54	44
Cumbria and Lancashire	30	93	99	121
Essex	29	66	79	157
Greater Manchester	38	51	92	164
Hampshire and Isle of Wight	55	107	122	121
Kent and Medway	42	54	41	97
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland	44	89	123	133
Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire	33	79	25	124
North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire	32	76	85	94
North Central London	22	78	80	53
North East London	18	55	17	104
North West London	49	60	93	78
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear	28	67	60	105
Shropshire and Staffordshire	54	74	108	101
Somerset and Dorset	31	69	93	73
South East London	38	101	81	179
South West London	16	42	29	45
South West Peninsula	34	48	51	94
South Yorkshire	40	76	68	118
Surrey and Sussex	66	90	120	153
Thames Valley	43	129	95	106
Trent	67	145	174	201
West Yorkshire	68	147	107	178

Notes:

1. Years prior to 2003 have been mapped to current SHA areas.

2. 2003 numbers were collected directly from primary care trusts (PCTs). Previous years vacancy numbers were collected from health authorities (HAs).

3. In 2003, one PCT in South West London SHA did not respond to the survey.

4. In 2002–04, HAs did not respond to the survey. These made up parts of: Surrey and Sussex SHA, South West London SHA, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA and Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA.

5. In 2001–02, HAs did not respond to the survey. These made up parts of: Surrey and Sussex SHA and South West London SHA.

6. In 2000–04, HAs did not respond to the survey. These made up parts of: Thames Valley SHA, County Durham and Tees Valley SHA, North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA and Trent SHA.

Source:

Department of Health GP Recruitment, Retention and Vacancy surveys 2000–03.

11 Nov 2003 : Column 267W

Health Care (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs there were in York in each year since 1992. [135955]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Figures for the number of general practitioners in York are not held centrally. The tables show the nearest geographical match for which figures are held centrally.

All general medical practitioners (excluding retainers)⁽²³⁾for North Yorkshire Health Authority numbers (headcount)

North Yorkshire Health Authority QDR

1992 459

1993 471

1994 477

1995 490

1996 490

1997 493

1998 498

1999 509

2000 522

2001 525

	North Yorkshire Health Authority QDR


1992	459
1993	471
1994	477
1995	490
1996	490
1997	493
1998	498
1999	509
2000	522
2001	525

⁽²³⁾ All practitioners (excluding GP retainers) includes GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA) and PMS other.

Note:

Data as at 1 October 1992 to 1999 and 30 September 2000 to 2001.

Source:

Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

All general medical practitioners (excluding retainers)⁽²⁴⁾for Selby and Yorknumbers (headcount)

York PCG Selby PCG Selby and York PCT

4YT24 4DK03 5E2

1999 134 44 ⁽²⁵⁾—

2000 138 44 ⁽²⁵⁾—

2001 ⁽²⁵⁾— ⁽²⁵⁾— 182

March 2002 ⁽²⁵⁾— ⁽²⁵⁾— 190

2002 ⁽²⁵⁾— ⁽²⁵⁾— 197

March 2003 ⁽²⁵⁾— ⁽²⁵⁾— 202

June 2003 ⁽²⁵⁾— ⁽²⁵⁾— 204

	York PCG	Selby PCG	Selby and York PCT
	4YT24	4DK03	5E2
1999	134	44	⁽²⁵⁾—
2000	138	44	⁽²⁵⁾—
2001	⁽²⁵⁾—	⁽²⁵⁾—	182
March 2002	⁽²⁵⁾—	⁽²⁵⁾—	190
2002	⁽²⁵⁾—	⁽²⁵⁾—	197
March 2003	⁽²⁵⁾—	⁽²⁵⁾—	202
June 2003	⁽²⁵⁾—	⁽²⁵⁾—	204

⁽²⁴⁾ All practitioners (excluding GP retainers) includes GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS Other and flexible career schemes.

⁽²⁵⁾ not available.

Note:

Data as at 1 October 1999, 30 September 2000 to 2002, 30 March 2002 to 2003 and 30 June 2003.

Source:

Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses, (b) non-medical, non-nursing care workers and (c) administrative staff were employed in GP practices in each year since 1992. [135956]

Mr. Hutton: The number of practice staff (whole time equivalent) including nurses and administrative staff, broken down by category, employed in general practitioner (GP) practices in each year since 1992 is shown in table 1.

11 Nov 2003 : Column 268W

The number of practice staff and practice nurses (headcount) employed in GP practices in each year since 1992 is shown in table 2.

Information on non-medical, non-nursing care workers is not available. However, it is likely that they are included in the direct patient care category.

Table 1—Practice staff⁽²⁶⁾ by type 1992 to 2002—England whole time equivalents

of which:

Practice staff⁽²⁶⁾ Practice nurse Direct patient care Admin. and clerical Other

1992 51,020 9,121 1,210 39,950 739

1993 53,952 9,605 1,218 42,349 781

1994 51,833 9,099 1,196 41,299 239

1995 59,255 9,745 1,577 47,353 579

1996 59,318 9,821 1,486 47,637 374

1997 60,579 10,082 1,521 48,341 635

1998 61,331 10,358 1,744 48,885 342

1999 63,087 10,689 1,876 49,990 531

2000 62,583 10,711 1,866 49,529 477

2001 64,998 11,163 2,090 51,390 355

2002 67,107 11,998 2,511 51,444 1,154

Percentage increase1992 to 2002 31.5 31.5 107.6 28.8 56.1

			of which:
	Practice staff⁽²⁶⁾	Practice nurse	Direct patient care	Admin. and clerical	Other


1992	51,020	9,121	1,210	39,950	739
1993	53,952	9,605	1,218	42,349	781
1994	51,833	9,099	1,196	41,299	239
1995	59,255	9,745	1,577	47,353	579
1996	59,318	9,821	1,486	47,637	374
1997	60,579	10,082	1,521	48,341	635
1998	61,331	10,358	1,744	48,885	342
1999	63,087	10,689	1,876	49,990	531
2000	62,583	10,711	1,866	49,529	477
2001	64,998	11,163	2,090	51,390	355
2002	67,107	11,998	2,511	51,444	1,154
Percentage increase1992 to 2002	31.5	31.5	107.6	28.8	56.1

⁽²⁶⁾ Practice staff includes practice nurses, direct patient care, admin. and clerical and other.

Note:

Data as at 1 October 1992 to 1999 and 30 September 2000 to 2002.

Source:

Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Table 2—Practice staff⁽²⁷⁾by type 1992 to 2002—Englandnumbers (headcount)

Practice staff⁽²⁷⁾ of which:Practice nurse

1992 80,213 ⁽²⁸⁾16,635

1993 84,185 ⁽²⁸⁾17,517

1994 84,211 16,500

1995 97,794 18,243

1996 97,379 17,898

1997 100,047 18,389

1998 100,975 ⁽²⁸⁾18,894

1999 105,828 ⁽²⁸⁾19,495

2000 102,270 19,200

2001 104,319 19,846

2002 107,275 20,983

Percentage increase 1992 to 2002 33.7 26.1

	Practice staff⁽²⁷⁾	of which:Practice nurse
1992	80,213	⁽²⁸⁾16,635
1993	84,185	⁽²⁸⁾17,517
1994	84,211	16,500
1995	97,794	18,243
1996	97,379	17,898
1997	100,047	18,389
1998	100,975	⁽²⁸⁾18,894
1999	105,828	⁽²⁸⁾19,495
2000	102,270	19,200
2001	104,319	19,846
2002	107,275	20,983
Percentage increase 1992 to 2002	33.7	26.1

⁽²⁷⁾ Practice staff includes practice nurses, direct patient care, admin. and clerical and other.

⁽²⁸⁾ Headcount practice nurse figures are estimated for these years.

Note:

1. Headcount figures for other types of practice staff are not available separately.

2. Data as at 1 October 1992 to 1999 and 30 September 2000 to 2002.

Source:

Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were registered with GP practices in York in each year since 1992. [135957]

11 Nov 2003 : Column 269W

Miss Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the form requested. The tables show the numbers of patients registered with general practitioners in the areas that most closely correspond to York.

Patients of Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)⁽²⁹⁾ for North Yorkshire health authority Number (headcount)

North Yorkshire HA QDR

1992 715,117

1993 726,107

1994 731,641

1995 738,096

1996 739,885

1997 745,228

1998 727,159

1999 754,476

2000 751,292

2001 757,341

	North Yorkshire HA QDR


1992	715,117
1993	726,107
1994	731,641
1995	738,096
1996	739,885
1997	745,228
1998	727,159
1999	754,476
2000	751,292
2001	757,341

⁽²⁹⁾ UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.

Note:

Data as at 1 October 1992–99 and 30 September 2000–01

Source:

Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Patients of Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)⁽³⁰⁾ for Selby and York Number (headcount)

1999 2000 2001 2002

Selby PCG 4DK03 67,506 67,546 — —

York PCG 4YT24 209,391 207,696 — —

York and Selby PCTPCT 5E2 — — 277,918 280,633

		1999	2000	2001	2002


Selby PCG	4DK03	67,506	67,546	—	—
York PCG	4YT24	209,391	207,696	—	—
York and Selby PCTPCT	5E2	—	—	277,918	280,633

⁽³⁰⁾ UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.

Note:

Data as at 1 October 1999 and 30 September 2000–02

Source:

Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations for (a) cataracts, (b) hernia, (c) hip replacement and (d) knee replacement were carried out at York District Hospital in each year since 1992. [135961]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.

All operations (OPCS4 codes in brackets) Cataracts, Inguinal hernia, Hip replacement and Knee replacement procedures: Trust Provider of Treatment RGB York Health NHS TrustNHS hospitals, 1992–93 to 2001–02Consultant Episodes Count of Finished

Procedure grouping

Cataracts (C71, C72, C74, C75) Inguinal hernia (T19-T21) Hip replacement (W37-W39) Knee replacement (W40-W42)

1992–93 750 529 239 93

1993–94 874 504 266 115

1994–95 989 511 298 120

1995–96 867 544 274 155

1996–97 1,010 551 271 163

1997–98 1,035 397 256 174

1998–99 1,337 493 313 213

1999–2000 1,448 473 298 209

2000–01 1,392 442 342 233

2001–02 1,357 500 371 246

	Procedure grouping
	Cataracts (C71, C72, C74, C75)	Inguinal hernia (T19-T21)	Hip replacement (W37-W39)	Knee replacement (W40-W42)
1992–93	750	529	239	93
1993–94	874	504	266	115
1994–95	989	511	298	120
1995–96	867	544	274	155
1996–97	1,010	551	271	163
1997–98	1,035	397	256	174
1998–99	1,337	493	313	213
1999–2000	1,448	473	298	209
2000–01	1,392	442	342	233
2001–02	1,357	500	371	246

Notes:

Finished Consultant Episode (FCE)

An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.

Grossing

Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 2001–02 which is not yet adjusted for shortfalls.

All Operations count of Episodes

These figures represent a count of all FCE's where the procedure was mentioned in any of the 12 (four prior to 2002–03) operation fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if an operation is mentioned in more than one operation field of the record.

Source:

Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

11 Nov 2003 : Column 270W

Next Section

Index

Home Page