House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 20 Nov 2003 (pt 52)

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1358W—continued

Cancer

Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trained cancer specialists are practising in England; how many cancer specialist students began training in each year since 1997; how many cancer specialists qualified in each year since 1997; and what his assessment is of the optimum number of cancer specialists required by the national health service. [138918]

Mr. Hutton: As at 30 June 2003, there were 4,096 consultants in the cancer specialties (trained cancer specialists) working in the national health service in England.

As undergraduates, medical students do not undertake training in specific specialties, their medical training is of a general nature at this stage of their course. Specialty specific training begins in hospital at postgraduate level. Information on the number of doctors beginning and completing speciality training each year is not collected centrally.

The number of postgraduate doctors in training and consultants in the cancer specialties for each year since 1997 is shown in the table.

Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS) StaffConsultants and Doctors in training in cancer specialitiesEngland, as at 30 September Number (headcount)

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 March 2002 2002 March 2003 June 2003

Consultants 3,155 3,273 3,362 3,528 3,721 3,864 3,913 4,059 4,096

Doctors in training 1,531 1,622 1,799 1,896 2,111 — 2,281 — —

Of which:

Senior House Officer 332 346 375 375 423 — 449 — —

House Officer 20 22 22 42 21 — 23 — —

Registrar Group 1,179 1,254 1,402 1,479 1,667 — 1,809 — —

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	March 2002	2002	March 2003	June 2003
Consultants	3,155	3,273	3,362	3,528	3,721	3,864	3,913	4,059	4,096
Doctors in training	1,531	1,622	1,799	1,896	2,111	—	2,281	—	—

Of which:
Senior House Officer	332	346	375	375	423	—	449	—	—
House Officer	20	22	22	42	21	—	23	—	—
Registrar Group	1,179	1,254	1,402	1,479	1,667	—	1,809	—	—

Notes:

1. Cancer specialties includes Clinical Oncology, Clinical Radiology, Haematology, Histopathology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Medicine.

2. Doctors in training data was not collected in the March or June 2003 mini census.

Source:

Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1359W

The Cancer Plan gives a commitment to increase the number of cancer consultants working in the NHS by 1,000 by 2006.

Since 1999 the number of cancer consultants has increased by 734, or 22 per cent. This means that the NHS is on track to hit the Cancer Plan target. The National Cancer Director works closely with cancer networks, professional organisations and workforce development confederations to ensure that national decisions about workforce planning reflect the needs of the service.

Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ring-fence spending for cancer services. [138338]

Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 13 November 2003]: We do not believe ring-fencing money for a specific programme is the way forward. Our overall approach is to set a national strategic direction, underpinned by targets and to devolve greater freedom to front line staff and organisations to give them the freedom to innovate and improve care for patients based on local needs and circumstances.

On 22 May 2003 the National Clinical Director for Cancer published a report that showed that the new money for cancer services announced as part of the NHS Cancer Plan is reaching those services.

On 28 October 2003, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, announced that this tracking exercise would be repeated for cancer funding allocated in 2003–04.

Mr. Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of cancer patients received their first definitive treatment within 62 days of referral in each month of the last three years, broken down by cancer type. [138632]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The NHS Cancer Plan sets out our strategy to reduce waiting times for cancer patients. A maximum two-month wait from urgent referral to treatment was introduced for breast cancer in December 2002. Data on performance of this target are collected quarterly and were first published for quarter one, 2003–04 (Apr—Jun 2003), where 97 per cent. of women received their treatment within a month of urgent referral. This target will be in place for all other urgent cases of cancer by 2005. Targets of one month from urgent referral to first treatment were introduced in 2001 for testicular cancer, acute leukaemia and children's cancers. Data on NHS Cancer Plan waiting times targets are published on the Department's website at: www.doh.aov.uk/cancerwaits.

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1360W

Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated by his Department to cancer prevention in each of the last three years; and how much was spent in each year. [136731]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department funds an extensive health improvement and prevention programme aimed chiefly at preventing cancer and coronary heart disease, which are the two main causes of mortality. Funding for programmes on tobacco control and smoking cessation, improving nutrition and diet and increasing physical activity all contribute not only to cancer prevention, but also to preventing coronary heart disease. It is not possible to identify the amount of funding in these programmes that contributes solely to cancer prevention.

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to establish dedicated Positron Emission Tomography camera facilities to diagnose lung cancer and evaluate the success of treatment in sites across all strategic health authorities. [140112]

Miss Melanie Johnson: We are aware of the potential benefits Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning can offer patients with lung cancer. The Department is working with national health service specialised commissioners, the PET clinical community and research stakeholders to create a framework to enable the NHS to develop a clear national policy position. This will set out, from the evidence, which tumour groups would benefit from PET scanning, likely future demand, and the optimal configuration and location of PET scanners.

Cardiology

Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trained cardiologists are practising in England; how many cardiology students began training in each year since 1997; how many cardiologists qualified in each year since 1997; and what assessment he has made of the optimum number of cardiologists required by the National Health Service. [138919]

Mr. Hutton: As at 30 June 2003, there were 618 consultants in cardiology (trained cardiologists) working in the National Health Service in England.

As undergraduates, medical students do not undertake training in specific specialities, their medical training is of a general nature at this stage of their course. Specialty specific training begins in hospital at postgraduate level. Information on the number of doctors beginning and completing specialty training each year is not collected centrally. The number of postgraduate doctors in training and consultants in cardiology in each year since 1997 is shown in the table.

Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS) Staff Consultants and Doctors in training in cardiologyEngland, as at 30 September Numbers (headcount)

March June

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2003

Consultants 405 458 467 546 576 609 607 618

Doctors in training 540 607 589 612 609 700 n/a n/a

of whom

Senior House Officer 192 218 210 223 210 255 n/a n/a

House Officer 32 38 40 45 54 53 n/a n/a

Registrar Group 316 351 339 344 345 392 n/a n/a

	March	June
	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2003
Consultants	405	458	467	546	576	609	607	618
Doctors in training	540	607	589	612	609	700	n/a	n/a
of whom
Senior House Officer	192	218	210	223	210	255	n/a	n/a
House Officer	32	38	40	45	54	53	n/a	n/a
Registrar Group	316	351	339	344	345	392	n/a	n/a

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1361W

n/a = not available

Source:

Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census

Doctors in training data was not collected in the March or June 2003 mini census

The coronary heart disease care group workforce team advises on workforce requirements to deliver the CHD national service framework and NHS Plan. It is required to make annual recommendations to the workforce numbers advisory board. In its 2003 report, it recommended that there was a need to continue to substantially increase the number of cardiologists. Future growth requirements are being refined and will depend on growth in activity demands and on changes in clinical practice and ways of working.

Care Homes

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the (a) demand for and (b) supply of places in residential homes and nursing homes in England; and what forecast he has made of change in (i) demand and (ii) supply in the next 10 years. [139476]

Dr. Ladyman: I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible, and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) residential, (b) nursing and (c) elderly mentally infirm (i) homes and (ii) places were available in London in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (A) local authority, (B) private sector and

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1362W

(C) charity and voluntary providers; and what percentage of capacity in each sector was used in each year. [138666]

Dr. Ladyman: Tables 1 and 2 show the number of residential and nursing homes and places in London at 31 March for the years 1993 to 2001 by sector. Tables 3 and 4 show the number of homes and places in care homes for elderly mentally infirm people. Data are not available for the percentage of capacity used each year.

The National Care Standards Commission has collected figures for later years but comparable details broken down by region are not available.

Number of care homes in London, by type of accommodation31 March 1993–2001

Residential homes Nursing homes ⁽⁵³⁾

LA Voluntary Private Small ⁽⁵⁴⁾ Independent

2001 241 749 564 685 548

2000 268 737 589 630 548

1999 274 737 601 626 554

1998 296 710 605 640 520

1997 299 730 588 596 374

1996 347 636 539 567 348

1995 348 609 532 489 395

1994 363 577 506 368 396

1993 386 581 492 ⁽⁵⁵⁾ 332

	Residential homes	Nursing homes ⁽⁵³⁾
	LA	Voluntary	Private	Small ⁽⁵⁴⁾	Independent
2001	241	749	564	685	548
2000	268	737	589	630	548
1999	274	737	601	626	554
1998	296	710	605	640	520
1997	299	730	588	596	374
1996	347	636	539	567	348
1995	348	609	532	489	395
1994	363	577	506	368	396
1993	386	581	492	⁽⁵⁵⁾	332

⁽⁵³⁾ Includes dual registered homes

⁽⁵⁴⁾ Independent registered care homes with less than 4 places, required to register from 1 April 1993

⁽⁵⁵⁾ Data are not available

Source:DH forms RA Part A, RAC5, KO36 and RH(N) Part A.

Number of care home places in London, by type of accommodation 31 March 1993-2001

Residential homes Nursing homes ⁽⁵⁶⁾

LA Voluntary Private Small ⁽⁵⁷⁾ Dual Registered⁽⁵⁸⁾ Independent

2001 5,412 10,638 9,156 1,699 2,437 18,084

2000 6,354 10,464 9,310 1,519 2,493 18,290

1999 6,693 10,013 9,364 1,551 1,904 18,257

1998 7,744 9,619 9,533 1,658 1,647 17,750

1997 8,170 9,960 9,389 1,489 964 12,388

1996 9,468 9,234 8,455 1,390 1,282 10,694

1995 9,980 9,249 8,307 1,195 1,176 12,719

1994 10,870 9,027 8,078 899 1,298 12,538

1993 11,829 9,406 7,914 n/a 1,020 11,305

	Residential homes	Nursing homes ⁽⁵⁶⁾
	LA	Voluntary	Private	Small ⁽⁵⁷⁾	Dual Registered⁽⁵⁸⁾	Independent
2001	5,412	10,638	9,156	1,699	2,437	18,084
2000	6,354	10,464	9,310	1,519	2,493	18,290
1999	6,693	10,013	9,364	1,551	1,904	18,257
1998	7,744	9,619	9,533	1,658	1,647	17,750
1997	8,170	9,960	9,389	1,489	964	12,388
1996	9,468	9,234	8,455	1,390	1,282	10,694
1995	9,980	9,249	8,307	1,195	1,176	12,719
1994	10,870	9,027	8,078	899	1,298	12,538
1993	11,829	9,406	7,914	n/a	1,020	11,305

⁽⁵⁶⁾ Includes nursing places in dual registered homes.

⁽⁵⁷⁾ Independent registered care homes with less than 4 places, required to register from 1 April 1993.

⁽⁵⁸⁾ Residential places that are in dual registered homes.

n/a Data are not available.

Source:

DH forms RA Part A, RAC5, KO36 and RH(N) Part A

Number of elderly mentally infirm⁽⁵⁹⁾ homes in London, by type of accommodation 31 March 1993–2001

LA Voluntary Private Registered ⁽⁶¹⁾ Small ⁽⁶⁰⁾ Nursing

2001 14 9 33 7 39 n/a

2000 16 10 31 7 13 n/a

1999 13 15 23 2 17 n/a

1998 16 30 51 6 20 n/a

1997 20 12 20 6 32 n/a

1996 15 5 13 0 n/a n/a

1995 14 5 13 0 n/a n/a

1994 13 3 13 0 n/a n/a

1993 14 3 17 0 n/a n/a

	LA	Voluntary	Private	Registered ⁽⁶¹⁾	Small ⁽⁶⁰⁾	Nursing
2001	14	9	33	7	39	n/a
2000	16	10	31	7	13	n/a
1999	13	15	23	2	17	n/a
1998	16	30	51	6	20	n/a
1997	20	12	20	6	32	n/a
1996	15	5	13	0	n/a	n/a
1995	14	5	13	0	n/a	n/a
1994	13	3	13	0	n/a	n/a
1993	14	3	17	0	n/a	n/a

⁽⁵⁹⁾ Homes that cater primarily for elderly mentally infirm people.

⁽⁶⁰⁾ Independent registered care homes with less than 4 places, required to register from 1 April 1993.

⁽⁶¹⁾ Homes that have registered for both residential and nursing care

n/a Data are not available.

Source:

DH forms RA Part A and RAC5.

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1363W

Number of elderly mentally infirm ⁽⁶²⁾ home places in London, by type of accommodation 31 March 1993 -2001

LA Voluntary Private Dual Registered ⁽⁶⁴⁾ Small ⁽⁶³⁾ Nursing

2001 525 270 670 269 110 n/a

2000 556 313 629 259 37 n/a

1999 436 433 564 106 43 n/a

1998 616 876 890 188 58 n/a

1997 692 282 389 147 102 n/a

1996 430 136 290 n/a n/a n/a

1995 402 119 265 n/a n/a n/a

1994 399 72 280 n/a n/a n/a

1993 411 85 363 n/a n/a n/a

	LA	Voluntary	Private	Dual Registered ⁽⁶⁴⁾	Small ⁽⁶³⁾	Nursing
2001	525	270	670	269	110	n/a
2000	556	313	629	259	37	n/a
1999	436	433	564	106	43	n/a
1998	616	876	890	188	58	n/a
1997	692	282	389	147	102	n/a
1996	430	136	290	n/a	n/a	n/a
1995	402	119	265	n/a	n/a	n/a
1994	399	72	280	n/a	n/a	n/a
1993	411	85	363	n/a	n/a	n/a

⁽⁶²⁾ Homes that that cater primarily for elderly mentally infirm people.

⁽⁶³⁾ Independent registered care homes with less than 4 places, required to register from 1 April 1993.

⁽⁶⁴⁾ Residential places in homes registered for both nursing and residential care.

n/a Data are not available

Source:

DH forms RA Part A and RAC5.

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care home places were available in (a) Birmingham and (b) West Midlands in each of the last six years run by the (i) local authority, (ii) voluntary sector and (iii) private sector. [139706]

Dr. Ladyman: The table shows the number of care home places available in Birmingham and West

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1364W

Midlands, broken down by type of accommodation, as at 31 March for the years 1998 to 2001.

The National Care Standards Commission has collected figures for later years but comparable details broken down by local authority and region are not available.

Number of care home places in Birmingham and West Midlands by type of accommodationAs at 31 March 1998–2001 Rounded numbers

Residential homes Nursing homes ⁽⁶⁵⁾

Local authority Voluntary Private Dual registered ⁽⁶⁶⁾ Small ⁽⁶⁷⁾ Independent Total places

Birmingham

1998 1,450 1,560 2,350 130 400 2,930 8,820

1999 1,460 1,420 2,390 100 400 3,010 8,780

2000 1,340 870 2,940 140 370 2,940 8,600

2001 1,320 740 2,920 190 340 2,890 8,400

West Midlands

1998 8,100 5,680 17,540 2,360 1,860 20,650 56,190

1999 7,420 5,540 16,000 2,460 1,910 21,510 54,840

2000 6,400 5,340 16,300 2,760 1,700 20,420 52,920

2001 6,050 5,180 16,130 3,100 1,630 20,040 52,130

	Residential homes	Nursing homes ⁽⁶⁵⁾
	Local authority	Voluntary	Private	Dual registered ⁽⁶⁶⁾	Small ⁽⁶⁷⁾	Independent	Total places

Birmingham
1998	1,450	1,560	2,350	130	400	2,930	8,820
1999	1,460	1,420	2,390	100	400	3,010	8,780
2000	1,340	870	2,940	140	370	2,940	8,600
2001	1,320	740	2,920	190	340	2,890	8,400
	West Midlands
1998	8,100	5,680	17,540	2,360	1,860	20,650	56,190
1999	7,420	5,540	16,000	2,460	1,910	21,510	54,840
2000	6,400	5,340	16,300	2,760	1,700	20,420	52,920
2001	6,050	5,180	16,130	3,100	1,630	20,040	52,130

⁽⁶⁵⁾ Includes places in nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics and nursing care places in homes registered for both nursing and residential care.

⁽⁶⁶⁾ Residential places in homes registered for both nursing and residential care.

⁽⁶⁷⁾ Independent registered care homes with less than four places.

Source:

RA Form A and RH(N) Form A.

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1365W

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he collates on staff turnover in (a) nursing homes and (b) residential care homes for elderly people in (i) the public sector, (ii) the voluntary sector and (iii) the private sector; and if he will make a statement. [139751]

Dr. Ladyman: The Department does not collect information on staff turnover. Information is available from the 2002 Social Services Workforce Analysis, conducted by the Employers' Organisation on behalf of the Social Care and Health Workforce Group. This data is soon to be published and will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inspections and approvals have been undertaken of (a) residential care homes, (b) nursing care homes, (c) residential care home managers and (d) nursing care home managers since the National Care Standards Commission was established; and if he will make a statement. [139554]

Dr. Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the table.

Number of inspections and approvals between 1 April 2002 and18 November 2003

Number

Approvals (registrations)

Care homes with personal care (inc. non-medical) 19,223

Care homes with nursing care 1,137

Inspections (announced and un-announced)

Care homes with personal care (inc. non-medical) 31,627

Care homes with nursing care 9,582

	Number
Approvals (registrations)
Care homes with personal care (inc. non-medical)	19,223
Care homes with nursing care	1,137
Inspections (announced and un-announced)
Care homes with personal care (inc. non-medical)	31,627
Care homes with nursing care	9,582

Note:

Only homes which have an approved registered manager are registered and entered into the service register.

Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many managers of nursing care homes assessed by the National Care Standards Commission since its inception, had (a) at least first level registered nurse qualifications and (b) no nursing qualifications; [139555]

(3) how many (a) requests of statement of purpose have been refused by nursing care homes and (b) residents' care plans of nursing care homes have been assessed and approved since the National Care Standards Commission was established. [139559]

Dr. Ladyman: The National Care Standards Commission does not record this information on its central registration and inspection database.

Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of (a) the number of residents and (b) the ratio of nurses to residents in nursing care homes in England in the last year for which figures are available. [139557]

Dr. Ladyman: The estimated number of occupied beds in nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics in England in 2000–01 was 152,100 beds.

20 Nov 2003 : Column 1366W

The table shows the number of occupied nursing beds per nurse in England in 2000–01.

Number of occupied nursing beds ⁽⁶⁸⁾ per nurse: England 2000–01

Occupied beds

Qualified ⁽⁶⁹⁾ Nursing staff

Number 2.2

Whole-time equivalent 3.1

All⁽⁷⁰⁾ nursing staff

Number 0.9

Whole-time equivalent 1.1

	Occupied beds
Qualified ⁽⁶⁹⁾ Nursing staff
Number	2.2
Whole-time equivalent	3.1
All⁽⁷⁰⁾ nursing staff
Number	0.9
Whole-time equivalent	1.1

⁽⁶⁸⁾ Figures refer to beds in nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics including those intended for children or maternity usage.

⁽⁶⁹⁾ Qualified nursing staff includes all staff with nursing qualifications, but not those with NVQs.

⁽⁷⁰⁾ All nursing staff includes Care Assistants.

Source:

(RH(N)

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