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Children's Hospices

Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate his Department has made of how many terminally ill children are waiting to be placed in a children's hospice; [199880]

(2) how many hospice beds are available for terminally ill children in (a) England, (b) the South West region and (c) Dorset; and if he will make a statement; [199881]

(3) how many terminally ill children have died in each of the past five years in (a) a hospice and (b) a hospital; and if he will make a statement. [199883]

Dr. Ladyman: Information is not collected centrally on the number of terminally ill children waiting to be placed in a children's hospice, the number of hospice beds available for terminally ill children or the number of terminally ill children who have died in hospital or a hospice in the last five years. The national service framework (NSF) for children, which we published on 15 September, is a 10-year strategy which recognises that high quality palliative care services should be available for all children and young people who need them. Children's hospices have an important place in the network of services that need to work together to provide palliative care. The NSF emphasises that services should be provided where the child or family want—in the home, or in a hospital, hospice or other setting. With the substantial growth money we are investing in the national health service and in the light of "National Standards, Local Action", our health and social care standards and planning framework, primary
 
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care trusts have the flexibility to plan how full implementation of the NSF will be achieved to meet local needs.

Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the time scale is for the implementation of the recommendations made by the Health Select Committee in its Fourth Report of Session 2003–04 on Palliative Care, HC454, with particular reference to palliative care services for children; and if he will make a statement. [199882]

Dr. Ladyman: Palliative care for children is covered in the national service framework (NSF) for children, young people and maternity services, which we published on 15 September. As stated in the Government's response to the Select Committee report, the NSF recognises the importance of high quality standards and service provision in the transition from adolescent to adult services and that parents of children with a terminal illness may require additional support. We have set a 10-year time scale for the full implementation of the NSF. With the substantial growth money we are investing in the NHS and in the light of "National Standards, Local Action", our health and social care standards and planning framework, primary care trusts have the flexibility to plan how full implementation of the NSF will be achieved to meet local needs.

Community Pharmacy Contract

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the new community pharmacy contract will incorporate elements of the pharmaceutical public health strategy, as described in the White Paper, Choosing Health, Cm 6374, paragraph 45. [199446]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The new pharmacy contractual framework is being implemented from April 2005. It provides a sound platform for community pharmacy to expand its contribution to improving health, working at the heart of local communities. The framework provides real opportunities to offer health messages and advice on matters such as stopping smoking, diet, alcohol and physical activity to people presenting prescriptions with, for example, diabetes, coronary heart disease and supporting people in making healthy lifestyle choices to improve their health.

The strategy for pharmaceutical public health will be published in 2005. It will demonstrate how all pharmacists, their staff and the premises in which they work can contribute to improving health and reducing health inequalities. Following publication, we will invite the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and National Health Service Confederation to consider with us any further necessary steps to ensure the new contractual framework fully reflects the strategy.

Diabetes

Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the European Council of Health Ministers' statement on diabetes; and if there will be a similar Council statement after the next meeting in December. [200040]

 
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Ms Rosie Winterton: The European Council of Health Ministers' statement described the health impacts of diabetes, its risk factors, and the predicted rise in prevalence of the condition across Europe. Using cardiovascular disease and cancer strategies as examples, the paper also suggested a European strategy for diabetes.

We are aware that the incidence of diabetes is rising. The national service framework (NSF) for diabetes aims to provide a world-class service for people with diabetes in England. The diabetes NSF was published in two parts: the standards document, published in December 2001, set out 12 standards in nine areas, covering the prevention, identification and management of diabetes, and surveillance for and management of its complications. The delivery strategy, published in January 2003, builds on the standards and offers the framework for a systematic programme of reform. The delivery strategy advocates how local progress can be made to ensure that the national health service is able to reach the NSF Standards by 2013.

I understand there are no plans to make a similar statement at the Council's next meeting.

European Constitution

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the effect of the coming into force of the European Constitution on the operation of his Department, with reference to (a) changes in legislative competence, (b) the extension of qualified majority voting, (c) the increased legislative role of the European Parliament, (d) the cost of implementation of regulations, (e) the requirements of adherence to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and (f) the quantity of legislation originating in the EU institutions. [200173]

Mr. Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 29 November 2004, Official Report, columns 10–11W.

Food Additives

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effects of over-consumption of (a) potassium sorbate and (b) sodium benzoate; and if he will make a statement. [200423]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The authorisation process for food additives, including potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, is designed to protect against over consumption. An acceptable daily intake (ADI) is established, by independent experts, which represents the amount of the additive that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable risk to health. For many food additives, including potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, strict limits are set on the amount that can be added to different types of food to ensure that ADIs are not exceeded.

Fuel Poverty

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of fuel
 
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poverty on health; and what research his Department has (a) received and (b) supported into the impact of fuel poverty interventions on health. [200555]

Miss Melanie Johnson: It is well known that fuel poverty is a significant contributor to excess winter mortality. In addition, it is likely that there are other more subtle effects on health arising from fuel poverty.

The Department is represented on the steering group of the health impact evaluation of "Warm Front", jointly commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh Assembly. Its objectives are

To evaluate the impact of key "Warm Front" interventions on householders' quality of life, mental and physical health, and risk of cold-related death.

To identify the potential of energy efficiency measures in general to improve householders' health and quality of life.

To assess the impact of key "Warm Front" interventions on the utilisation of health care services.

Health Poverty Index

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways the Health Poverty Index, as described in the White Paper, Choosing Health, Cm 6374, paragraph 28, will differ from the health deprivation and disability domain indices contained within the Index of Multiple Deprivation produced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. [199447]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Health Poverty Index includes the same indicators of the state of health and disability contained in the Index of Multiple Deprivation plus additional indicators, not available in the Index of Multiple Deprivation that measures the potential for good health or the risk of ill health. The Health Poverty Index is now available at http://www.hpi.org.uk.

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