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18 Oct 2004 : Column 488W—continued
Chiropody (Buckinghamshire)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of chiropody services in Buckinghamshire. [191086]
Ms Rosie Winterton: In line with our policy of "Shifting the Balance of Power", it is now for primary care trusts, (PCTs) in partnership with strategic health authorities (SHAs) and other local stakeholders to plan, develop and improve services for local people. We recognise that health services are better when management is devolved to the frontline. Within the framework set out in the NHS Plan and other policy documents, PCTs, with their specialised knowledge of the local community, are able to effectively manage and improve local services.
Information about initial contacts (new episodes of care) and about first contacts (different persons receiving care) provided by trusts in Buckinghamshire is published in table 5 of "NHS Chiropody Services, summary information for 2003–04, England", a copy of which is available in the Library and also at http:www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/kt230304.
Chorley and South Ribble Hospital
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical beds there were at Chorley and South Ribble hospital in each of the last two years; and how many are planned for each of the next three years. [190803]
Dr. Ladyman: Information is gathered on a trust basis. The Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust was formed in 2002 from the merger of the Chorley and South Ribble National Health Service Trust and the Preston Acute NHS Trust.
Data is shown in the table for the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for 2002–03 and 2003–04.
Information is not available centrally on plans for bed levels.
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| All specialties (excluding day only) | General and acute | Acute | Geriatric | Mental illness | Learning disability | Maternity | Day only | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | 1,1561 | 1,073 | 929 | 144 | — | — | 84 | 45 |
| 2003–04 | 1,172 | 1,085 | 950 | 135 | — | — | 87 | 46 |
Notes:
Department of Health form KH03.
Dentistry (Buckinghamshire)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS registered dentists there were in the Buckinghamshire health authority area in each year since 2002. [191080]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The number of general and personal dental service dentists in the Buckinghamshire area by primary care trust (PCT) at 30 September in each year since 2002 is shown in the table.
| PCT | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milton Keynes | 100 | 107 | 104 |
| Vale of Aylesbury | 79 | 81 | 82 |
| Chiltern and South Bucks | 86 | 90 | 84 |
| Wycombe | 77 | 78 | 82 |
Source:
Dental Practice Board
Dentists are counted in each PCT in which they practise.
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in the Buckingham constituency (a) closed and (b) opened in each year since 2002. [191081]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of general dental and personal dental service practices which have closed or opened in the Buckinghamshire area, by primary care trust, is shown in the table. Dental practices are counted as closed if they were not open on 30 September, but were open on 30 September in the previous year. Dental practices are counted as opened if they were open on 30 September but were not open on the 30 September in the previous year.
| PCT | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental practices closed | |||
| Milton Keynes PCT | — | 0 | 3 |
| Vale of Aylesbury PCT | 0 | 2 | |
| Chiltern and South Bucks PCT | — | 0 | 2 |
| Wycombe PCT | — | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 7 | ||
| Dental practices opened | |||
| Milton Keynes PCT | — | 3 | 1 |
| Vale of Aylesbury PCT | — | 1 | 1 |
| Chiltern and South Bucks PCT | — | 0 | 0 |
| Wycombe PCT | — | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 2 | ||
| Buckinghamshire area: Total number of dental practices | 140 | 144 | 139 |
Source:
Dental Practice Board.
18 Oct 2004 : Column 490W
Departmental Grants
Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the grants available to (a) charities and (b) public sector organisations from his Department; and what the (i) criteria and (ii) eligibility factors are for each. [187029]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department's main funding stream to the voluntary and community sector is through grants awarded under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Services Act 1968 and through the Opportunities for Volunteering scheme.
Applications for the section 64 general scheme are invited for innovative proposals of national significance that will complement statutory services and help secure and promote high quality health and social care in England. Organisations eligible to apply for section 64 grants must be registered charities or formally constituted not-for-profit organisations that meet the legal requirements of the 1968 Act; have an equal opportunities policy; work in England; and carry out activities of national significance.
Applications for the Opportunities for Volunteering scheme are invited for projects that enable or encourage people to undertake voluntary work in the field of health or personal social services in England; that benefit the health and well-being of project users and/or volunteers and/or the local community; and that reflect the needs of a multi-cultural society in all aspects of the proposed activities. Organisations eligible to apply for grants must be registered charities or formally constituted not-for-profit organisations: have an equal opportunities policy; and carry out activities of local significance.
Derriford Hospital (Plymouth)
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether Derriford Hospital, Plymouth has maximum staffing levels for (a) doctors and (b) nurses; [191937]
(2) health what proportion of nurses at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth are agency nurses. [191938]
Ms Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of individual trusts to determine appropriate staffing levels, based on the needs of their local populations. Staffing levels at Plymouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust for the years 1997 and 2003 are shown in the table. As at March 2004, the trust had vacancy rates of 0 per cent. for nurses and 2.8 per cent. for consultants.
The number of agency staff is not collected centrally.
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| Numbers (headcount) and increase | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| As at 30 September | 1997 | 2003 | increase 1997 to 2003 |
| Medical and dental staff | 434 | 641 | 207 |
| Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff | 1,508 | 1,989 | 481 |
Sources:
Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.
Department of Health non-medical workforce census.
Devon NHS Partnership Trust
Mrs. Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been given to the Devon NHS Partnership Trust in identifying core and non-core services. [191757]
Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 15 October 2004]: The Department has not issued any guidance specifically to the Devon National Health Service Partnership Trust in identifying core and non-core services. In line with our policy of Shifting the Balance of Power, decisions about the services made available in local areas are prioritised and led by primary care trusts (PCTs). It is for PCTs, in conjunction with strategic health authorities, to plan and develop services according to the needs of their local communities.
Eye Health Services
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to raise awareness of (a) macular degeneration and (b) visual disease in general among (i) the public and (ii) health professionals. [190911]
Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 14 October 2004]: From 1 April 1999, we restored free sight tests under the national health service to those aged 60 and over and free sight tests continue to be available through the NHS to large parts of the population, including children, those aged 16–18 in full-time education, people on benefits, those people at particular risk of developing eye disease and people who are registered blind and partially sighted or who have a complex spectacle prescription. Sight tests provide the ideal opportunity to review all aspects of eye health, including investigations for signs of disease. Those at risk of specific eye disease, for example, diabetic retinopathy, may be asked to attend regular screening.
Information about the extensive arrangements for providing help with NHS optical services and other health costs are publicised in the widely available leaflet, HC11—"Are you entitled to help with health costs?"
The eye care services steering group was set up in December 2002 to develop proposals for the modernisation of NHS eye care services. The group has developed model care pathways for glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, low vision and cataract. We have made available £4 million to fund eight pilot sites to test the new pathways. My right hon. friend, the Minister of State for Health (Mr. Mutton), launched the
18 Oct 2004 : Column 492W
report of the group and the model pathways on 11 May 2004. A copy of the report was sent as commissioning guidance to all primary care trusts and NHS trusts.
We have also invested an additional £73 million to deliver shorter waiting times for cataract patients so that no patient will wait more than three months by December 2004. In addition, the national service framework (NSF) for diabetes includes a target that by 2006, a minimum of 80 per cent. of people with diabetes are to be offered screening for the early detection and treatment, if needed, of diabetic retinopathy, rising to 100 per cent., coverage by the end of 2007. This includes investment of £27 million for the purchase of capital equipment to support the screening programme, including the purchase of digital cameras.
The NSF for older people recognises visual impairment as a risk factor for falls. The importance of identifying those with sight problems who may require a full eye examination is highlighted within the single assessment process.
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