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2 Mar 2004 : Column 882W—continued
Health Visitors
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the vacancy rates are for health visitors in (a) Lambeth and (b) Sutton primary care trusts. [155447]
Mr. Hutton [holding answer 24 February 2004]: The information requested is shown in the table.
| March 2003 | September 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 month vacancy rate (Percentage) | 3 month vacancy (Number) | Staff in post (Whole-time equivalent) | Staff in post (Headcount) | ||
| England | 2.3 | 229 | 9,912 | 12,774 | |
| Of which: | |||||
| 5LD | Lambeth PCT | 0.0 | 0 | 78 | 89 |
| 5M7 | Sutton and Merton PCT | 0.0 | 0 | 79 | 105 |
3 month vacancy notes:
1. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2003.
2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which Trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).
3. Three month Vacancy Rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post.
4. Three month Vacancy Rates for non-medical staff are calculated using staff in post from the Vacancy Survey, March 2003.
5. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
Staff in post notes:
1. Staff in post data is from the Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2002.
General notes:
1. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.
2. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.
3. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component parts.
Sources:
Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2003.
Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2002.
Mercury Healthcare
Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer, 10 February, to Question reference 153276, whether Mercury Healthcare (a) are still involved in the negotiations and (b) are still the selected contractor. [155185]
Mr. Hutton [holding answer 23 February 2004]: On Tuesday 17 February, the Department announced that preferred bidder status for the independent sector treatment centre 'spine chain'—of which the treatment centre at Ashford is an integral part—had been switched from Mercury Healthcare to the reserve bidder, Capio UK.
Ministerial Travel
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last used a train in connection with his ministerial duties. [155160]
Ms Rosie Winterton: As of Wednesday 25 February 2004:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health last travelled by train during the course of his official duties on Monday 23 February 2004, from London Euston to Birmingham New Street.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Health (Mr. Hutton) last travelled by train during the course of his official duties on Tuesday 10 February 2004, from London Waterloo to Southampton.
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My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health (Miss Johnson) last travelled by train during the course of her official duties on Wednesday 25 February 2004, from London St. Pancras to Sheffield.
My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health (Dr. Ladyman) last travelled by train during the course of his official duties on Thursday 12 February 2004 from London Kings Cross to Grantham.
My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health (Lord Warner) last travelled by train during the course of his official duties on Wednesday 25 February 2004 from Birmingham New Street to London Euston.
I last travelled by train during the course of my official duties on Tuesday 6 January 2004 from Ashford to London Charing Cross.
All travel by Ministers on official business is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in 'Travel by Ministers'.
Neurologically Impaired Children
Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the recommendation in the Chief Medical Officer's
2 Mar 2004 : Column 884W
consultation paper "Making Amends" that support and compensation should be available to neurologically impaired babies, but that children with genetic or chromosomal abnormality would be excluded; and whether the recommendation would result in a difference in the support available to neurologically impaired children and their carers dependent on the cause of their neurological impairment. [156403]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department is currently analysing the many responses that were received to the consultation on "Making Amends". These responses and discussions with key stakeholders are informing the development of detailed policy, which we are aiming to publish later this year.
Nurses (London Boroughs)
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the proportion of nurses per head of population was in each borough of London in each year since 1992. [155092]
Mr. Hutton [holding answer 23 February 2004]: Data on the proportion of nurses per head of population is not held at borough area level. Data at strategic health authority area level from 1996 is shown in the table. This is the nearest alternative.
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998(27) | 1999(27) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.4 |
| of which: | |||||||
| London(25) | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Q04 North West London SNA | 8.1 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 8.9 |
| Q05 North Central London SHA | 10.3 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10.1 | 10.0 |
| Q06 North East London SHA | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 |
| Q07 South East London SHA | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.9 |
| Q08 South West London SHA | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 6.9 | 7.1 |
(24) UPEs include QMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
(25) Figures for London are based on each specified Strategic Health Authority area.
(26) Practice nurse figures are as at 1 October for 1997–99
(27) Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for these years.
Note:
The Royal Marsden NHS Trust has been included with South West London Strategic Health Authority. 1996–2001 data is estimated based on 2002 organisational structure. Figures are rounded to one decimal place
Source:
Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census
Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Nursing Care Contributions Fees
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the first annual review of registered nursing care contributions fees; and for what reason the review has not yet been published. [156318]
Dr. Ladyman: The revised monetary values attached to national health service-funded nursing care from April 2004, depending on level of need, are as follows:
- Low band—£40 per week (remains the same).
- Medium band—£77.50 per week (increased from £75 per week).
- High band—£125 per week (increased from £120 per week).
On a case-by-case basis, primary care trusts will be able to agree an amount between £40 per week and the medium band, depending on the individual's needs.
Out-of-hours Service
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the operation of out-of-hours work for general practitioners from 1 April in North Yorkshire. [155970]
Miss Melanie Johnson: In common with primary care trusts (PCTs) nationally, PCTs in North Yorkshire are currently working with their local general practitioners and other organisations to develop new arrangements for out of hours services in line with the new general medical services contract and which meet the needs of their local population for a high quality, sustainable out-of-hours service.
2 Mar 2004 : Column 885W
Pension Schemes
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rights exist for NHS employees to transfer their pensions from schemes run by previous employers to the NHS pension scheme; what restrictions exist, with particular regard to length of remaining service with the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [155502]
Mr. Hutton [holding answer 23 February 2004]: Members of the national health service pension scheme may transfer pension benefits from a previous pension scheme into the NHS scheme. Members wishing to do so must make an application within 12 months of joining the NHS pension scheme and before age 60.
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