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26 Mar 2004 : Column 1136W—continued
Seroxat
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the data on which the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency based its statement of 11 March on dosage levels of Seroxat was first made available to the regulator. [162491]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The advice issued by the Committee for the Safety of Medicines (CSM) on 11 March 2004 followed a re-evaluation of the original dose finding studies carried out for the licensing of paroxetine in 1990. This forms part of the ongoing in-depth review of the safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including paroxetine (Seroxat), by the CSM's expert working group on the safety of SSRIs.
The expert group initially reviewed one of the dose finding studies for paroxetine in October 2003. On the advice of the expert group, the manufacturer was then asked to provide data to justify the current dosing recommendations for all indications as part of the European review of the risks and benefits of paroxetine. The expert group reviewed all the information available at its meeting on 27 February 2004.
On 10 March 2004, the CSM endorsed the advice of its expert group and advised that public communication was necessary on the basis of the re-evaluation of clinical trial data and the evidence of prescribing of paroxetine outside of the recommendations in the summary of product characteristics, in particular the use of starting doses above 20 mg in the treatment of depression.
Mental Health Services
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on primary care trust provision of mental health services. [163222]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Primary care trusts have a crucial role to play in both the commissioning and provision of mental health services. We know that up to one in four primary care consultations concerns a mental health problem and many people receive all their mental health care and treatment from their general practitioner.
In recognition of the importance of primary mental health care, the National Service Framework for Mental Health (1999) set two standards to deliver better services and to ensure the provision of consistent advice and help for people with mental health needs in primary care.
The NHS Plan (2000) set targets to put in place 1,000 graduate primary care mental health workers and 500 new community mental health staff by December 2004. The National Institute for Mental Health in England has established a work programme on primary care mental health.
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These developments are complemented with investment in improving GP premises and increasing the number of GP registrars. Last year, the NHS Plan target to put in place 550 GP registrars by March 2004 was met more than nine months early and we now have 637 more GP registrars in post than in 1999.
Obesity
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government has to designate a single body to co-ordinate work across government in tackling obesity. [163600]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department takes the lead on work to tackle obesity. However, the Department cannot tackle obesity alone. Cross-governmental working is essential. The Government launched their major consultation on public health this month. The Public Health White Paper will provide the overarching framework to improve public health and will present real opportunities to progress work on the prevention and management of overweight and obesity.
The consultation will enable a wide range of stakeholders to contribute to the debate on overweight and obesity. This will build on the work already started through the food and health action plan and the activity co-ordination team. The Government will draw up their White Paper in the light of the consultation.
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York District Hospital
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when building work on the children's assessment and treatment area at York District Hospital was completed. [157522]
Miss Melanie Johnson: This facility was completed at the time the modernised accident and emergency department at York District Hospital was brought into use in February 2001.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the area set aside for the children's assessment and treatment area at York District Hospital is currently being used for. [157524]
Miss Melanie Johnson: This area is not being used at the present time.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the observation beds in the accident and emergency unit at York District Hospital to be used; for what reason they were built; and at what cost. [157525]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The observation bed area is now being used for the treatment of patients with minor injuries attending the accident and emergency department, on a three month pilot basis.
This facility was built as part of the overall accident and emergency department modernisation scheme, to allow scope for future service development.
The total cost of the accident and emergency modernisation scheme was £2.16 million.