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10 Mar 2004 : Column 1617W—continued
Smoking
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2004, Official Report, column 398W, on smoking, when he will publish the findings of the research on the success of the NHS Stop Smoking Service. [159321]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health commissioned a team led by Glasgow University to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of the national health services stop smoking services.
The first results of this evaluation were published in September 2003. "Bauld L et al. Impact of UK national health service smoking cessation services: variations in outcomes in England. Tobacco Control 2003; 12:296–301". The key finding was that "Well-developed, evidence-based NHS services, reflecting good practice, are yielding positive outcomes." The final results of the studies are due to be published in autumn 2004.
A copy of the research has been placed in the Library.
Sudden Death (Cardiac Conditions)
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to offer treatment to people of all ages who are susceptible to sudden death due to underlying cardiac conditions that if not treated may result in a fatal cardiac arrhythmia. [159826]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 9 March 2004]: The Government are committed to ensuring further improvements in these services and are discussing this matter with my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor) in the context of the Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) Bill, which is due for second reading on Friday 12 March.
Surgical Instruments (Reuse)
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his Department's guidance on the reuse of surgical instruments after brain biopsies. [158515]
Miss Melanie Johnson: Guidance on the reuse of surgical instruments after brain procedures, including biopsy, on patients known to have, or be at risk of CJD is already published in "Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: safe working and the prevention of infection". This guidance, endorsed by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, is available at the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/
10 Mar 2004 : Column 1618W
PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/CJD/CJDGeneralInformation/CJDGeneralArticle/fs/en?CONTENT ID=4031067&chk=4gOe2r. A copy is also available in the Library.
Waiting Lists/Times
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the last average in-patient waiting time for (a) England, (b) each region and (c) strategic health authority for each year since 1996. [159737]
Mr. Hutton: The table shows average (median) waiting times for elective inpatient admissions.
| England/SHA | Median waiting times (months) |
|---|---|
| England | 2.59 |
| Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire HA | 2.67 |
| Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire HA | 2.75 |
| Essex HA | 2.64 |
| North West London HA | 2.46 |
| North Central London HA | 2.70 |
| North East London HA | 2.73 |
| South East London HA | 2.55 |
| South West London HA | 2.55 |
| Northumberland, Tyne and Wear | 2.46 |
| County Durham and Tees Valley | 2.65 |
| North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire HA | 2.58 |
| West Yorkshire HA | 2.52 |
| Cumbria and Lancashire HA | 2.52 |
| Greater Manchester HA | 2.42 |
| Cheshire and Merseyside HA | 2.39 |
| Thames Valley HA | 2.40 |
| Hampshire and Isle of Wight HA | 2.81 |
| Kent and Medway HA | 3.39 |
| Surrey and Sussex HA | 2.74 |
| Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire HA | 2.90 |
| South West Peninsula HA | 3.08 |
| Somerset and Dorset HA | 2.33 |
| South Yorkshire HA | 2.42 |
| Trent HA | 2.40 |
| Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland HA | 2.56 |
| Shropshire and Staffordshire HA | 2.68 |
| Birmingham and The Black Country HA | 2.09 |
| Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire HA | 2.61 |
Note:
The figures shown are estimates based on aggregate data, categorised into waiting time bands, and do not reflect shifts in the waiting time profiles within these bands, only between bands. The median is not very sensitive to reductions in maximum waiting times, and it is possible to see a rise in the median, whilst reducing maximum waiting times because of shifts in low time bands. Short-term progress on delivering maximum waiting times (including tackling the longest waiters) will not necessarily translate into a reduction in the median waiting time. Our policy, therefore, is to focus attention on the number of patients waiting the longest, and in each waiting time band.
Source:
Department of Health form QF01.
For information on average waiting times for previous years I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave on 4 February 2004, Official Report, column 977W.
Work Force Census
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the publication date of the report on NHS hospital and community health services non-medical work force census, England: 30 September 2003—detailed results as stated on his Department's website was put back from 26 February to 19 March. [158220]
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Mr. Hutton: Publication was deferred in order to be more helpful to people using the data by publishing detailed information, which would not otherwise have been ready, on the same day as summary information.
Yellow Card Scheme
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will extend the yellow card reporting scheme to allow narrative testimonies from patients. [158529]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is piloting a scheme to allow patients to report suspected adverse drug reaction via NHS Direct. Patients in the catchment area of the South East London NHS Direct site are currently able to contact NHS Direct to report suspected adverse drug reactions, and the scheme is to be extended to other NHS Direct sites in due course.
10 Mar 2004 : Column 1620W
Following an increase in the number of requests for access to Yellow Card data, an independent review is being undertaken by Dr. Jeremy Metters. The steering committee, set up to assist the review, has consulted widely with key stakeholders. The review is considering whether there can be improved involvement of patients in the scheme, which may include enabling patients to report suspected adverse drug reactions to the MHRA directly. The results of the review are expected to be published later this year.
York District Hospital
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the children's assessment and treatment area at York District Hospital will be opened. [157523]
Miss Melanie Johnson: This is a local matter for York Hospitals National Health Service Trust.