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13 Sept 2004 : Column 1463W—continued
HEALTH
Government Information (Access)
Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has made to the comments made by the Parliamentary Ombudsman regarding delays by his Department in responding to complaints under the code of practice on access to Government information made in her review of departmental performance against requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding published on 30 June; what action he is taking to end the delays; and if he will make a statement. [186675]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Government takes any delays in responding to complaints under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information seriously.
The Government regrets that delays do unavoidably occur in a small minority of complex cases. However, the Ombudsman's review of the first nine months of the Memorandum of Understanding (September 2003—May 2004) shows that in most cases the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding were met.
In all cases, Departments endeavour to ensure that the time limit of three weeks for departments to respond to a "statement of complaint" from the Ombudsman is met. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, the Department aims to enter into dialogue with the investigating officer should there be any difficulty in replying by the date set by the Ombudsman.
Ashworth Hospital
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget for Ashworth Hospital has been for each of the last five years. [186831]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not available for the last five years. The budget for the Ashworth Special Hospital Authority is only available from 1999–2000 to 2001–02 and is shown in the table.
| Amount (£) | |
|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | 51,435,000 |
| 2000–01 | 61,169,000 |
| 2001–02 | 63,731,000 |
Note:
The Ashworth Special Hospital Authority was dissolved in 31 March 2002, with the majority of its services moving to the Mersey Care National Health Service Trust. The information requested is not collected centrally at individual hospital level.
Source:
Summarised accounts of Ashworth Special Hospital Authority 1999–2000 to 2001–02.
Autism
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to (a) improving awareness and education and (b) research regarding autistic spectrum disorders in each of the last five years. [187774]
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Dr. Ladyman: Through grants to the National Autistic Society, the Department has funded a range of projects to increase awareness and understanding of autism. The funding since 1999 is shown in the table. An additional £156,000 grant, over three years, was announced in May 2004.
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | 40,000 |
| 2000–01 | 40,000 |
| 2001–02 | 86,000 |
| 2002–03 | 97,000 |
| 2003–04 | 100,000 |
| 2004–05 | 56,000 |
The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology, part of the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC spend on autism since 1998 is shown in the table.
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1998–99 | 1.04 |
| 1999–2000 | 1.11 |
| 2000–01 | 1.18 |
| 2001–02 | 1.26 |
| 2002–03 | 1.30 |
In addition the Department allocated a further £2.5 million to the MRC in 2001–02, earmarked specifically for autism research. The Scottish Executive has given the MRC a further £250,000.
Breast Cancer
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage women aged 25 to 35 years to undertake breast self-examination. [187301]
Miss Melanie Johnson: 80 per cent. of breast cancers occur in women aged over 50, with less than 2 per cent. occurring in women aged under 35. The Department supports breast awareness, rather than ritualistic monthly self-examination, for which there is little evidence. It is important for all women of any age to be breast aware, and report any changes to their doctor. The Department, together with Cancer Research UK, produces a leaflet entitled "Be Breast Aware", which is widely available from primary care surgeries and breast screening units. Around 1.5 million copies of this leaflet are produced each year.
Cancer (NICE Guidelines)
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the implementation of the revised National Institute for Clinical Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer will be enforced and monitored; and if he will make a statement. [185849]
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Miss Melanie Johnson: "National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06–2007/08" was published on 21 July 2004. This document sets out the new healthcare standards which every English national health service body must take into account and which the Healthcare Commission will take into account in developing their criteria for their reviews of English NHS bodies. Guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is reflected in these standards in two ways.
Recommendations in "technology appraisal guidance" are included in a "core standard" for the NHS—all NHS bodies should "ensure that they conform to NICE technology appraisals and, where it is available, take into account nationally agreed guidance when planning and delivering treatment and care".
"Clinical guidelines" form part of the "developmental standards"—standards which the NHS is expected to achieve over time. The standard requires patients to receive effective treatment and care that "conform to nationally agreed best practice, particularly as defined in . . . NICE guidance".
The referral guidelines for suspected cancer are currently subject to consultation and do not constitute NICE's formal guidance. The first consultation period ends on 11 August 2004, with the final guidelines expected to be published in March 2005.
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he expects the revised National Institute for Clinical Excellence Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer to have in improving the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions in primary care. [185850]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently consulting on the first draft of the revised referral guidelines for suspected cancer.
As the guideline recommendations presented are provisional and do not constitute NICE'S formal guidance, it would not be appropriate to comment in detail at this stage. The guidelines, once published, will assist primary healthcare professionals in determining those patients with suspected skin cancer who need to be referred urgently to see a specialist within two weeks, those patients who can be referred for a routine appointment and those who can be safely watched and, where appropriate, treated at a primary care level.
The revised guidelines are expected to be published in March 2005.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Mr. Streeter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contractual arrangements are in place between the
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NHS and suppliers of products involved in cervical cancer screening procedures, including notice periods for the termination of such contracts. [186568]
Ms Rosie Winterton: There is no national contract for the national health service relating to products used during the current process of preparing cervical samples. However, the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency has just awarded a contract for liquid based cytology, which, over the remaining four years of a national roll out, will replace conventional cytology products.
Additionally, there is a national framework for gynaecological sundries, which include consumables, which are used in cervical screening such as speculum and a cervical smear. This contract runs until September 2005 and the process of renewal will be starting shortly.
Other surgical instruments are used during the taking of cervical samples. These products will remain in use following conversion and there is currently a national framework agreement in place for the purchase of reusable surgical instruments. This agreement started on 11 February 2002 and will continue until 10 February 2005, at which time a replacement agreement will commence.
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