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Macular Degeneration

Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are being made for the funding and delivery of photo dynamic therapy treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration in the Peninsula Strategic Health Authority area; and whether they comply with National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines. [171584]

Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 10 May 2004]: In line with our policy to shift the balance of power, responsibility for the funding and delivery of health services now rests with primary care trusts (PCTs). In the South West Peninsula strategic health authority area, the Peninsula Local Specialised Commissioning Group is leading on the implementation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on   photodynamic therapy on behalf of its PCTs. Photodynamic therapy is currently provided by the South Devon Healthcare National Health Service Trust at Torbay Hospital and the service will be expanded from June to accept referrals from across the Peninsula. In addition, consideration is being given to involving some other hospitals in the area so as to improve local access to this service.

ME

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of essential services for severely affected sufferers of ME. [171343]

Dr. Ladyman: On 20 January 2004, I announced new   services for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, (CFS/ME), funded by a £8.5 million cash injection. This money will see the creation of 12 new CFS/ME centres and 28 local support teams throughout England in the coming months.

Local teams are expected to develop a network of services (health, education and social services) for those more severely affected who may be house-bound or bed-bound. The Department also provides funding to support the work of voluntary organisations working with people with CFS/ME.

In addition, in response to a request from the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Research Council produced a research strategy on CFS/ME on 1 May 2003.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been commissioned to develop clinical guidelines for the   diagnosis and management of CFS/ME. These guidelines will underpin the training of health professionals, ensuring people with this condition receive sound advice and support and will address a range of issues including assessment and diagnosis, adjustment and coping, symptom management and the use of rehabilitation strategies to optimising functioning and achieving greater independence.
 
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Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-regional Strategy

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which (a) individuals and (b) organisations will be consulted by those charged with carrying out the studies commissioned by the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Health and Social Care Sub-Group; [172168]

(2) what the (a) terms of reference and (b) intended date for completion is of each of the studies mentioned in paragraph 53 of the Cross-Government Statement (matters 1, 2, 3, 4) on the draft Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy that the Miltion Keynes and South Midlands Health and Social Care Group has commissioned; and who is responsible for carrying out each one; [172169]

(3) when he intends to publish a 30-year health and social care vision for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands sub-region, as mentioned in paragraph 98 of the Cross-Government Statement (matters 1, 2, 3, 4) on the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy. [172172]

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.

The studies commissioned by the Milton Keynes South Midlands Health and Social Care Sub-group have been funded through the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Growth Areas Fund. These studies cover two workstreams. The first workstream is to examine how the interaction between health and the built environment can inform best practice in developing sustainable communities in the MKSM Growth Area. The second workstream is focusing on the delivery of health and social care services in response to the proposed growth in housing and population. The studies will provide a 30 year health and social care vision for the sub-region with a development plan and action plan to achieve the vision. The studies are due to be completed in June 2005.

The Chief Executive of the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority is the Chair of the Sub-Group. A full-time Project Director has also been appointed for the studies and to co-ordinate consultation activity.

The Sub-group has comprehensive representation from the health community, including the representatives of the relevant Primary Care Trusts, local authority social care departments, the three Strategic Health Authorities; the three Regional Public Health Groups of the Department of Health; the three Workforce Development Confederations (WDCs) and from NHS Estates. In addition a stakeholder reference group has been formed which will enable emerging ideas to be tested with a wide range of stakeholders, including health service users. This currently includes representatives from the local   NHS Trusts, local authority Health Scrutiny Committees and patient representatives, and the intention is to expand its scope to include District Councils, Local Strategic Partnerships, independent sector service providers, and other interested groups.

Official Meetings (Mayor of London)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what dates (a) he and (b) his predecessors
 
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have held official meetings with the Mayor of London since July 2000; and what the subject of each meeting was; [171436]

(2) if he will list the official meetings he and his predecessor had with the Mayor of London since July 2000 to discuss health matters in London, and the dates and subject of each meeting. [172207]

Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answers 10 May and 11 May 2004]: My right hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Health (Mr. Hutton) met the Mayor of London from time to time and discussed a variety of subjects relating to health.

Productivity

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out his policy for increasing the productivity and cutting the costs of his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. [171732]

Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to Her Majesty's Treasury on 10 May, Official Report, columns 148-49W.

Radiation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential health risk   from exposure to low-level (a) ionising and (b) non-ionising radiation; and if he will make a statement. [170822]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Government is advised on the potential health risks from ionising and non-ionising radiation by a variety of bodies. The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) provides statutory advice to Government (www.nrpb.org). The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) provides advice on health effects of radiation at the levels encountered in the general environment. Low-level internal radiation emitters are the remit of the Committee Evaluating Radiation Risks from Internal Emitters and it is due to report to COMARE in the autumn of 2004. The risks from exposure to low-level internal emitters are also regularly reviewed by international organisations, such as the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation.

In addition, the Department runs its own radiological protection research programme in the area of low-level radiation exposure (both ionising and non-ionising), that provides information on the quantification of the risk to public health and the implementation of appropriate preventative measures. Research specifically aimed at investigating the potential health effects of mobile phone technology was set up in 2001 under the mobile telecommunications and health research programme.

For non-ionising radiation, the NRPB has recently reviewed the scientific evidence relating to possible adverse health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 0–300GHz (Documents of the NRPB: Vol 15, No 3, 2004). This document provides
 
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the basis of NRPB advice on quantitative restrictions on exposure and other measures to avoid adverse effects. It is available on the NRPB web site.

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