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Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times his Department has consulted members of the academic community with regard to health consequences of (a) smoking, (b) alcohol and (c) physical inactivity since January; and if he will make a statement. [188746]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department consults on the health consequences of smoking on a quarterly basis through the independent scientific committee on tobacco and health. On alcohol, the alcohol harm reduction strategy for England 2004 was subject to four consultation events in London, Newcastle, Bristol and Manchester, which included the academic community. On physical inactivity, the Department is in regular contact with a wide range of academics in this field of research.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was allocated to each hospital trust in each of the last three years. [191876]
Mr. Hutton [holding answer 15 October 2004]: National health service trusts do not normally receive funding direct from the Department, but receive income for service provision largely from primary care trusts. Information showing the total income, including all income from activities and all other operating income, for all English NHS trusts which were in existence in the years 200102 to 200304, has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the membership of the Human Genetics Commission. [190571]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Human Genetics Commission (HGC) advises Government on current and potential developments in human genetics and the likely impact on human health and healthcare as well as the social, ethical, legal and economic implications. It has 24 members, including experts in clinical and research genetics, consumer affairs, ethics, law, media, primary care, and those with experience in genetic conditions.
A full list of members is available on the HGC's website at http://www.hgc.gov.uk/about members.htm.
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Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what quality criteria will be required for the use of microfibre products for cleaning hospitals in order to maintain the highest standards of hygiene; [190609]
(2) what evaluation has been made by his Department of the use of microfibre materials for cleaning in hospitals. [190610]
Mr. Hutton: NHS Estates commissioned the association of domestic managers to review the operational components of microfibre technology and provide their professional and technical advice. We are also aware of the outcome of the scientific study into microfibre technology undertaken at Whipps Cross hospital. Both of these reports are currently being considered to determine any further steps which need to be taken prior to providing advice and guidance to the national health service.
Decisions on the use of specific cleaning products and systems are for local determination and should be taken in full consultation with the director of infection prevention and control. However, we would expect as a minimum that use of microfibre products and technology ensures standards at least as good as the best conventional alternatives available.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the financial situation of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust; [190770]
(2) if he will make a statement on the financial position of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust on the latest date for which figures are available. [192459]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 19 October 2004]: I understand that in August 2004, the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust reported a deficit of £1.8 million.
I am advised that Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority is confident that the financial problems faced by the trust can be overcome without detriment to patient care and that financial balance can be achieved by 31 March 2005.
For the financial year 200304, the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust reported a retained surplus of £4,000.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what role the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust plays in consulting (a) other bodies and (b) members of the public when services are being reconfigured; and which organisations it is required to consult; [190771]
(2) what role strategic health authorities play in moving services between hospitals within a trust; [190773]
(3) what consultation process he requires to be followed when services are moved between hospitals under one hospital trust; [192283]
(4) how a decision is made on what constitutes substantial change in hospital services; and who makes this decision. [192287]
Miss Melanie Johnson: National health service organisations are required to consult when reconfiguring services. These duties are set out in sections 7 and 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. Section 7 of the Act requires that if an NHS organisation is proposing to develop or vary services substantially, it must consult the overview and scrutiny committees of those local authorities whose residents are affected by the proposed changes. Section 11 requires NHS bodies to consult patients, the public and their representatives on changes to the operation of services irrespective of whether they are substantial changes.
NHS organisations will need to discuss any proposals for service change with the relevant overview and scrutiny committees at an early stage, in order to agree whether or not the proposal is considered to be substantial. It is the decision of the overview and scrutiny committees to decide whether the proposal impacts substantially on their local residents.
Any NHS trust which plans to make changes to the operation of services for which it is responsible, must consult patients, the public and their representatives. If those proposals represent substantial changes, then the overview and scrutiny committees of those local authority areas that are affected by the proposed changes must also be considered.
Strategic health authorities are responsible for ensuring strong, clinically robust services are in place, taking account of access, clinical viability, value for money and external views of best clinical practice. The primary care trusts and NHS trusts make the judgements about the shape and delivery of services to their local area.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is on the transmission to hon. Members by the trust concerned of reports by the Royal College of Surgeons on the future of services at their local hospital; [191587]
(2) if he will place in the Library the minutes of meetings between the Royal College of Surgeons and the Chief Executive and Chair of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust; [191656]
(3) if he will place in the Library copies of the letters sent from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust to the local district and town and parish councils; [191657]
(4) how many hon. Members were consulted over changes in provision of services at Chorley and South Ribble District Hospital; [191658]
(5) if he will make available the minutes of meetings held between the Royal College of Surgeons and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust over the decision to move emergency medical surgery to Royal Preston Hospital. [192458]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 19 October 2004]: These are matters for the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust.
Mr. Goodman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many proposals for the reconfiguration of
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maternity and children's services were withdrawn after consultation with the public in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [191717]
Dr. Ladyman: Reconfiguration of local services is a matter for local decision. We therefore do not collect information on this centrally.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's advice not to use risperidone and olanzapine to treat behavioural problems in older patients with dementia; and when new guidelines will be published in managing dementia. [190489]
Dr. Ladyman: In March 2004, the Government's independent scientific advisory committee, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) advised that risperidone and olanzapine should not be used in the treatment of behavioural symptoms of dementia because of an increased risk of stroke. The high absolute risk of stroke associated with these products was considered to outweigh any benefits in treatment of behavioural symptoms of dementia. The advice was issued after careful consideration of all available data, possible clinical implications and advice from an expert working group, which included expertise in the management of behavioural problems in older patients with dementia. The CSM considered it important that risperidone remained an option for the short term treatment of acute psychoses in patients with dementia.
Comprehensive treatment guidelines on the management of dementia developed in collaboration with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Geriatric Society, Royal College of Nurses, Alzheimer's Society and National Care Standards Commission were published to coincide with the CSM advice, together with an information sheet for patients and carers.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently developing a guideline on the management of dementia, including use of antipsychotic medication in older people in collaboration with the Social Care Institute for Excellence. The expected date of issue of this guideline is February 2007.
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