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12 Jul 2004 : Column 929W—continued
Environmental Sustainability
Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the (a) sustainability and environmental impact of its private finance initiative (PFI) projects and (b) effectiveness of the PFI process to deliver environmentally sustainable projects; [181651]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that private finance initiative projects for which his Department is responsible create the minimum of environmental damage; [181656]
(3) what plans he has to make private finance initiative contracts more accountable and transparent in terms of environmental sustainability. [181724]
Mr. Hutton: The NHS environmental assessment tool kit (NEAT) is the national health service's response to the Government's objective of a sustainable construction programme.
All capital development schemes, whether private finance initiative (PFI) or publicly funded, must submit a NEAT as part of their full business case (FBC). The business case must demonstrate a commitment to meeting the NEAT score rating of "excellent" for a new build or "very good" for a refurbishment scheme.
By integrating the design, build and operational aspects into a single financial package, PFI helps to encourage greater efficiency, including energy efficiency, over the whole life of the contract.
In the interests of accountability and transparency, all full business cases are published.
Health Service (Shrewsbury)
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) who is responsible in the relevant Strategic Health Authority for making the decision on the installation of the new linear accelerator at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital; [182643]
(2) what the reasons are for installing a new linear accelerator at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital; [182644]
(3) how much a new (a) linear accelerator and (b) bunker would cost to purchase and install at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital; [182645]
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(4) if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in processing the business case for a new linear accelerator at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. [182646]
Dr. Ladyman: Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) reports that its capital review group (CRG) is responsible for the initial assessment of all full business cases presented to the SHA. If appropriate, the CRG will present the business case to the SHA executive board for formal approval. Final sign off is by the chief executive of the SHA, as the nominated representative of the executive board.
Linear accelerators are used in external beam radiotherapy; one of the principal weapons used to combat cancer. Demand for radiotherapy in Shropshire continues to rise. Without a replacement linear accelerator, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will not be able to meet the demands for radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is a key element in the treatment of cancer.
The new linear accelerator will be a replacement for the current SL75/5 linear accelerator. Linear accelerators have a recognised 10 year life span. The SL75/5 linear accelerator at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was installed in 1995 and is therefore due for replacement in 2005.
Breaks in radiotherapy are to be avoided and can be detrimental to clinical outcome. The replacement will also ensure that continuity of clinical service can be maintained at all times with the existing linear accelerator.
The cost of a linear accelerator is between £750,000 to £1.25 million, depending on machine specification and options required.
The SHA reports that the cost of a bunker on the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital site has currently been estimated at £1,012,000.
The SHA also reports that the business case for the new linear accelerator is being appropriately processed and has not experienced any significant delay.
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current deficit is of the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust. [182648]
Dr. Ladyman: Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority reports that Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals national health service Trust declared a deficit of £783,000 in its draft accounts at its trust board meeting in June 2004.
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards building a new cancer centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. [182649]
Dr. Ladyman:
Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority reports that the new cancer centre is expected to cost about £4 million. The scheme will be funded through public appeal which is expected to take around four years to complete. On-going revenue costs will be met by local primary care trusts. A site has been identified and draft plans are being prepared.
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Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects (a) the analysis of results of the consultation and (b) resulting proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners to be published. [182340]
Mr. Hutton: On 2 March 2004, we published proposals for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture practitioners. The consultation period closed on 7 June and the Department is currently analysing the responses received. The Department will publish an analysis of the responses to the consultation in the autumn. We plan to publish draft legislation for further consultation in 2005.
Hospital Beds
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds were available in the NHS in (a) 1979 and (b) 1997. [182410]
Mr. Hutton: The table shows data on the average number of national health service available hospital beds, including both psychiatric and non-psychiatric hospitals.
| Financial year | 1979 | 1997–98 |
|---|---|---|
| England (13) | 364 | 194 |
| Wales (13) | 24 | 15 |
| Scotland (14) | 58 | 37 |
| Northern Ireland (15) | 17 | 9 |
| U.K. | 463 | 255 |
(13) 1979: calendar year.
(14) 1979: as at 30 September.
(15) 1979: as at 31 December.
Source:
Annual Abstract of Statistics.
Kidderminster Treatment Centre
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what direct funding his Department is providing for the Kidderminster Treatment Centre in addition to funding through primary care trusts. [182526]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department and West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority have invested £18.5 million of capital in the Kidderminster Treatment Centre.
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will decide which patients should be treated at the Kidderminster Treatment Centre. [182527]
Dr. Ladyman:
West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority reports that up to 31 March 2005, a number of patients will be redirected to the independent sector treatment centre from the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. After that date the treatment centre will receive new general practitioner referrals. The process will be managed by the three primary care trusts in Worcestershire.
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Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of likely levels of demand for elective surgery at the Kidderminster Treatment Centre (a) in December, (b) at Easter and (c) during the main summer holiday period. [182528]
Dr. Ladyman: This is a matter for the local health community. West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority reports that the assessment of demand for elective surgery is an ongoing rather than specific period process. The Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and the three primary care trusts in Worcestershire are now working together on a joint commissioning basis. They are using a waiting list modelling system to ensure that capacity matches demand and that national targets for waiting times are met.
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what flexibility there will be within the contract for the Kidderminster Treatment Centre to amend the numbers of operations performed between different types of operation. [182529]
Dr. Ladyman: Limited substitution of cases, based on patient suitability rather than the complexity of the case, is being built into the contract.
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