| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
11 Feb 2004 : Column 1546W—continued
NHS Estates
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reason the deal to sell NHS Estates surplus properties and inventures to the HBOS/Miller Consortium has not yet been completed; and when he expects completion; [147753]
- (2) which sites initially identified in the proposed sale of NHS Estates surplus properties with inventures to the HBOS/Miller consortium are now not to be included. [147755]
Mr. Hutton: Commercially confidential discussions with Miller/HBOS are still taking place and an announcement should be made shortly.
NHS Professionals
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons NHS Professionals does not use agency staff supplied to it through arrangements with private agencies who have previously registered with NHS Professionals; and what estimate NHS Professionals has made of the number of staff who have been declined in this way. [152991]
Mr. Hutton: The NHS Professionals Special Health Authority works in partnership with national health service trusts to provide temporary staffing solutions. In the first instance, NHS Professionals will always
11 Feb 2004 : Column 1547W
endeavour to provide staff from its own bank. If this is not possible, then vacancies will be passed to agency staff approved by the partner trust.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate NHS Professionals has made of the unit cost of an agency placement. [152993]
Mr. Hutton: Because of variations in the method of calculation, the NHS Professionals Special Health Authority is unable to estimate a reliable average unit cost for an agency placement.
Public Bodies
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the costs were of setting up the Commission for Social Care Inspection; and what estimate has been made of the costs of operation in its first year. [154466]
Dr. Ladyman: The set up of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is still ongoing and the final cost is not yet available but the estimated total cost is in the order of £7 million.
A budget for the cost of operating the new body in its first year (2004–05) has not yet been set but its running cost it is likely to be in the region of £150 million. As the new body will be part-financed from fees generated from its regulatory and inspection function, the net running cost which is met by a grant in aid from the Department is likely to be around £104 million.
Rural Elderly
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the support structures in place to promote the well-being of the rural elderly. [153999]
Dr. Ladyman: In March 2003, the Department of Health provided information to the Countryside Agency on 'rural proofing' health and social care services, including those for older people. This information was included in the agency's report Rural Proofing in 2002–03. The report can be viewed at www.countryside.gov.uk/publications.
Skin Disease
Mr. Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reasons the management of chronic skin disease was not included within the directed enhanced services of the new general medical services contract; [153259]
11 Feb 2004 : Column 1548W
- (2) for what reason skin diseases were omitted from the new general practitioner contract; and if he will make a statement; [R] [153260]
(3) what input his Department had in deciding the disease areas outlined under clinical domains in the quality framework for the general practitioner contract; [R] [153261]
(4) what factors were taken into account in deciding which disease areas should be included in the general practitioner contract's quality framework and essential services; [R] [153262]
(5) what assessment he has made of how the new general practitioner contract will benefit patients with chronic skin conditions. [R] [153263]
Mr. Hutton: No disease is omitted from the new general medical services contract. The legal definition of essential services ensures that skin conditions will continue to be managed and treated in primary care to the extent such conditions can be handled appropriately and effectively in that setting. The contract also provides unprecedented investment in primary care and new mechanisms and opportunities through enhanced services to expand the range of services, improve convenience and choice for patients. This will allow the shift of specialised dermatology services from hospitals to primary care.
The quality and outcomes framework was developed by an independent group of academic general practitioners whose recommendations on which disease areas to include were based on the disease priorities across the United Kingdom, evidence-based practice and accepted national clinical guidelines, and an understanding that responsibility for ongoing management and care of patients rests principally with general practitioners and the primary care team.
The contract was negotiated and agreed by the National Health Service Confederation, acting on behalf of all UK Health Departments, and the British Medical Association.
Working Time Directive
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the impact on the NHS of the Working Time Directive changes coming into force this year. [152820]
Mr. Hutton: The Department regularly discusses the impact of the Working Time Directive both formally and informally with key professional groups and national health service managers in the context of NHS compliance for doctors in training from 1 August 2004.