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Potassium Chloride Solution

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to persuade manufacturers of potassium chloride solution to redesign packaging to avoid adverse incidents in hospital; and if he will make a statement. [167406]

Mr. Hutton: The National Patient Safety Agency has worked with practitioners, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the pharmaceutical industry to agree new labelling standards for strong potassium chloride solutions requiring a distinctive red 'K' on these products, with suitable warnings.

Labelling standards have also been agreed for potassium chloride infusion products to help distinguish them from infusions that do not contain potassium.

The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency has already written to all current contracted suppliers of medicinal products to say that it will, in future, award contracts to reflect the application of MHRA guidance on labelling of products, including potassium chloride solutions.

Pressure Ulcers

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to cut the cost of pressure ulcers in the NHS. [167404]

Dr. Ladyman: A pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention guideline was published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in April 2001. An updated version of the guideline was published on 22 October 2003. The guideline outlines best practice for health professionals caring for individuals who are vulnerable to or at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

A wound care package of guidelines is also currently being developed by NICE, which will include a guideline on pressure ulcer treatment.

Short Notice Appointments Guidance

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts do not follow Department of Health guidance on short notice appointments; and what action he plans to take. [167709]

Mr. Hutton: We expect all national health service organisations to comply with waiting times guidance on reasonable offers of an appointment or an offer of admission, issued in dataset change notice 07/2003, February 2003. As part of its recent spot-check exercise, the Audit Commission found a small number of trusts were not fully complying with this guidance. Issues identified by the spot-checks will be addressed in action plans agreed between local auditors and trusts.
 
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Stationery

Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on (1) what date his Department expects to implement in full the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that (a) all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content and (b) all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post-consumer waste; and what measures he has put in place to ensure that the targets are met; [165446]

(2) what percentage of paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained. [165447]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department procures all its printing needs, including the provision of paper, from its supplier roster. All of these providers are aware of the Government commitment to supply publications on recycled paper and the Department makes the supplier selection based on the most cost-effective quotation—as such the actual brand of recycled and environmentally friendly paper and its specifications is left to the printer. Therefore the Department is unable to make a detailed statement on the information requested.

The Department's standard copying paper is 100 per cent. recycled, using 80 per cent., post consumer waste. This exceeds the Quick Wins target of a minimum of 75 per cent., post consumer waste.

Timber

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [167631]

Mr. Hutton: The Department welcomes the establishment of the central point of expertise on timber (CPET), and believes it will be a spur for widening the demand for legal and sustainable timber. Tenders for operating the first phase of CPET have been received by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and a contract should be in place before the end of May. Improved guidance, including advice on certification schemes, should be available by the end of August.

Waiting Lists

Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent analysis has been carried out of waiting times for child and adolescent psychology services; and if he will make a statement. [168666]

Dr. Ladyman: Information is not collected in the format requested. Children and young people receive treatment for mental health problems in a wide range of health care settings. We are aware that in some areas, and in some specialities, waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are unacceptably long. The development of CAMHS is one of our priorities. In the three years to March 2006 we will be investing an additional £300 million in CAMHS, which will help reduce waiting times.
 
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In 2004–05, we are allocating a total of £67 million to local authorities for CAMHS and £20 million to primary care trusts (PCTs) to further develop CAMHS. Derbyshire county council will receive £521,000 and the Derby Dales and south Derbyshire PCT will receive £27,000.

HOME DEPARTMENT

NHS (African Workers)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the maximum period of time is that nationals of sub-Saharan African countries are permitted to work in the NHS. [164761]

Mr. Browne: Immigration regulations do not place an upper limit on the amount of time that a non-EEA national may work in the NHS, provided relevant requirements of the Immigration Rules are met. NHS employers who wish to employ any non-EEA nationals in the UK may apply for a work permit for a maximum period of five years. A non-EEA national that completes four years in continuous work permit employment may qualify for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Afghan Asylum Seekers

Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy to remove failed Afghan asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [161620]

Mr. Browne [holding answer 15 March 2004]: The Home Office determines asylum and human rights applications from Afghan nationals on their individual merits according to the UK's obligations under the terms of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights.

If an application is refused, there is a right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities against that decision. Should a claim be refused and any appeal be unsuccessful that means that, for that individual, return to Afghanistan would be safe. We consider it reasonable to expect an individual in that position to return to Afghanistan.

The Government's preferred option for repatriating Afghan asylum applicants whose asylum claims have been rejected and appeal rights exhausted is assisted voluntary return, in line with the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Voluntary Return between the UK, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Afghan Transitional Administration. There are two voluntary return programmes operated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) which are available to Afghans wishing to return to Afghanistan. The Return to Afghanistan Programme (RAP) offers financial assistance of £600 for individuals and up to £2,500 for families in addition to a flight and the offer of a training and employment package in Afghanistan. The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is the UK's generic voluntary returns programme which is also open to Afghans. VARRP provides a flight for returnees and in kind
 
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reintegration assistance in the country of origin. This may include help to access initial housing, employment, education or health services. IOM can also provide assistance in setting up a small business.

The Explore and Prepare Programme for Afghanistan was launched on 28 October 2003. This programme allows Afghans with status in the UK to return to Afghanistan to explore the possibility of making a permanent return without affecting their immigration status in the UK.

On 28 April 2003 in line with our stated intentions and as agreed with the Afghan authorities we commenced enforced returns to Afghanistan. We are returning those not found to be in need of international protection or granted any other form of leave to remain who do not depart voluntarily. Those individuals or groups identified as vulnerable are excluded from the programme of enforced returns.

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