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9 Jun 2004 : Column 395W—continued

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason numbers of (a) emergency ambulances, (b) rapid response vehicles and (c) treat and refer vehicles in the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service were out of action for parts of the period from 26 to 28 March. [176925]

Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 7 June 2004]: The information is not collected centrally.

Mesothelioma

Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans a treatment package for mesothelioma sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [174800]

Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 25 May 2004]: We are currently considering referring pemetrexed disodium (Alimta), for the treatment of mesothelioma, as a topic for appraisal by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

We continue to keep a close eye on clinical trials to determine when the development of clinical guidelines on mesothelioma might be appropriate. The national health service is providing infrastructure and service support costs for two mesothelioma trials currently under way through the national cancer research network.

A lung cancer advisory group has also recently been established to support the development and delivery of high quality services for lung cancer patients. One of the key areas that this group will address is the management of the increasing incidence of mesothelioma.

Mortality Ratios

Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the standardised mortality ratios of each
 
9 Jun 2004 : Column 396W
 
hospital trust were in the last year for which figures are available, listed in descending order; what the national average was; and if he will make a statement. [174757]

Miss Melanie Johnson: There is no single "standardised mortality ratio" for hospitals, nor yet full agreement as to how one should be defined.

The Dr. Foster organisation has devised its own ratio which was published in The Sunday Times. It is an indicator devised for use by that organisation and the Department of Health does not produce any similar measure.

NHS Equality Adviser

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what powers the NHS Equality Adviser will have to promote greater equality throughout the service; [172605]

(2) whether the NHS Equality Adviser will have powers and duties in relation to facilities in joint use by the NHS and local authority care departments; [172615]

(3) what powers and duties the NHS Equality Adviser will have in relation to companies and organisations supplying private medical services and care to patients in the NHS; [172617]

(4) how the NHS Equality Adviser will interact with the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights; [172606]

(5) whether the Equality Adviser to be appointed in the NHS will have the same powers and duties in respect of each of the six strands of equality to be protected by the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights; [172607]

(6) whether the NHS Equality Adviser will have powers to commence discrimination proceedings in court on behalf of (a) employees and (b) patients in the NHS; [172618]

(7) what enforcement powers the NHS Equality Adviser will have in respect of breaches of equality laws; [172619]

(8) how the NHS Equality Adviser will safeguard the rights of patients; [172608]

(9) what the remit will be of the NHS Equality Adviser; [172609]

(10) whether the NHS Equality Adviser will have responsibility for children's equality issues in the health service (a) before and (b) after the appointment of a Children's Commissioner. [172620]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health is in the process of recruiting a National Director for Equality and Human Rights to spearhead a major programme to promote equality and human rights throughout the health and social care system. The remit involves championing and leading action to promote equality within the system and engaging in a dialogue with key stakeholders including service users and their representatives. It will also involve working with
 
9 Jun 2004 : Column 397W
 
colleagues in the Department, other Government Departments and in other health and social care bodies at a national level to address equality issues and promote a human rights culture.

The Director will assist the Department in complying with its legal duties in relation to promoting equality. The legal powers to enforce equality laws rests with the relevant equality commissions, namely the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission. The Director will not exercise powers in relation to facilities in joint use by the national health service and local authority care departments or companies and organisations supplying private medical services and care to patients in the NHS.

The Director will provide strategic leadership and champion the rights of patients from all sections of our diverse communities. Responsibilities for children's issues in the health service lies with the Department for Education and Skills.

The Director will have the same responsibilities in respect of the six strands of equality to be protected by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights and will work constructively with the new commission as is currently the case between the Department of Health and the existing equality commissions.

NHS Land (Sale Profits)

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will receive the profits of sale of NHS land for housing where a foundation trust is in existence. [177470]

Mr. Hutton: A national health service foundation trust may retain the profits of sale of its land subject to demonstrating that these will be used to further its public interest mandate.
 
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NHS Staff (Salaries)

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average salary for NHS administrative and clerical staff was in each year since 1997. [175357]

Mr. Hutton: No information on the earnings of national health staff was collected centrally in 1997. The estimated average basic pay of administrative and clerical staff on national pay rates between 1998 and 2003 is shown in the table.
£

	Average basic pay
1998	11,700
1999	12,200
2000	13,100
2001	13,600
2002	14,200
2003	14,700

Source:
The annual NHS staff earnings survey in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. The figures for 2001 and 2003 are based on the previous year's average adjusted in line with the appropriate pay agreement.

The information in this answer relates only to England. The earnings of HNS Staff in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

NHS Waiting Lists

Mrs. Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to NHS waiting list times in the last seven years for residents of Blackpool, North and Fleetwood. [175336]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Information on waiting times for the national health service organisations which serve Blackpool, North and Fleetwood constituency are shown in the tables.
In-patient waiting lists by provider—Preston area

		Patients waiting for admission by month waiting
	Unit name	Total	0–2 1	3–5 1	6–8 1	9–11 1	12–14 1	15–17 1	18+ 1
1996–97	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	8,970	4,137	2,352	1,445	1,000	18	15	3
1996–97	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	1,857	1,079	463	249		66	0	0
1997–98	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	8,500	4,079	1,969	1,334	787	257	74	0
1997–98	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	2,121	1,299	537	183	102	0	0
1998–99	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	7,602	4,154	1,729	1,043	544	132	0	0
1998–99	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	2,051	1,126	527	248	132	17	1
1999–2000	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	7,025	4,110	1,701	853	359	2	0	0
1999–2000	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	1,967	1,228	453	186	90	10	0
2000–01	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	8,926	5,559	1,987	1,002	378	0	0	0
2001–02	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	8,891	5,565	2,055	995	276	0	0	0
March 2003	Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	8,445	5,473	2,096	711	165	0	0	0
March 2004	Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	8,275	5,527	2,123	625	0	0	0	0

⁽⁴⁾ Not seen
Source:
Department of Health KH07





Out-patient waiting lists by provider—Preston area

		GP referral to consultant waiting list in weeks
	Name	Not seen 13 to 25	Not seen 26 plus
1996–97	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	281	19
1996–97	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	941	13
1997–98	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	761	110
1997–98	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	1,113	235
1998–99	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	1,563	443
1998–99	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	1,503	714
1999–2000	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	1,039	284
1999–2000	Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust	855	187
2000–01	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	1,904	287
2001–02	Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	1,653

Source:
Department of Health QM08




 
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Date	Name	Not seen 13–17	Not seen 17–21	Not seen 21–26	Not seen 26+
March 2003	Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	819	157	0	0
March 2004	Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	686	0	0	0

Note:
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was established 1 August 2002 from the acute services of Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust and Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. For 2001 and 2002, data for both trusts was reported under Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust





In-patient waiting lists by provider—Blackpool area

		Patients waiting for admission by month waiting
	Name	Total	0–2 1	3–5 1	6–8 1	9–11 1	12–14 1	15–17 1	18 + 1
1996–97	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	36	33	3	0	0	0	0	0
1996–97	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	8,393	4,764	1,986	1,025	493	108	14	3
1997–98	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	20	20	0	0	0	0	0	0
1997–98	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	9,866	5,428	2,109	1,341	673	228	87	0
1998–99	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	13	13	0	0	0	0	0	0
1998–99	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	8,290	5,135	1,793	803	336	148	75	0
1999–2000	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	13	12	1	0	0	0	0	0
1999–2000	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	8,134	4,851	1,756	816	399	194	118	0
2000–01	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	12	12	0	0	0	0	0	0
2000–01	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	7,791	4,561	1,896	825	361	112	36	0
2001–02	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	12	12	0	0	0	0	0	0
2001–02	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	7,772	3,913	1,975	1,088	607	189	0	0
2002–03	Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust	7,306	4,091	1,841	967	407	0	0	0
2003–04	Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust	6,853	4,296	1,844	713	0	0	0	0

⁽⁵⁾ Not seen
Source:
Department of Health KH07





Out-patient waiting lists by provider—Blackpool area

		GP referral to consultant waitinglist in weeks
	Name	Not seen 13 to 25	Not seen 26 plus
1996–97	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	1,414	0
1997–98	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	86	0
1997–98	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	254	259
1998–99	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	82	0
1998–99	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	853	185
1999–2000	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	4	0
1999–2000	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	695	238
2000–01	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	37	0
2000–01	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	743	199
2001–02	Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust	50	0
2001–02	Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust	701	0

Source:
Department of Health QM08




 
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	Name	Not seen 13 to 17	Not seen 17 to 21	Not seen 21 to 26	Not seen 26 plus
2002–03	Blackpool PCT	13	7	0	0
2002–03	Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust	478	198	0	0
2003–04	Blackpool PCT	4	0	0	0
2003–04	Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust	185	0	0	0

Note:
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust was formed from the merger of Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust and Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust in April 2002

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