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25 Jan 2005 : Column 325W—continued

MRSA

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has evaluated on the proportion of people who carry MRSA in their nostrils with no adverse effect to themselves; and what
 
25 Jan 2005 : Column 326W
 
precautions are taken to protect hospital patients from medical practitioners who may be carrying MRSA in this way. [208662]

Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 17 January 2005]: Many people are known to carry methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus" (MRSA) with no adverse consequences to themselves or others but precise numbers are not available. The prevalence of MRSA in hospital settings varies considerably and transmission is controlled by good infection control and cleaning practices. The Government have published guidance including Winning Ways and Towards Cleaner Hospitals and Lower rates of Infection" to help the national health service locally control the spread of infection.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government will provide compensation to those contracting MRSA in national health service hospitals and clinics. [209420]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Currently, compensation can only be awarded if a claim for clinical negligence has been made and a breach of duty of care towards the patient is admitted or proven.

Pressure Sores

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the incidence of pressure sores in hospitals in the last year for which figures are available; and how many patients were affected; [209890]

(2) what estimate he has made of the incidence of pressure sores in care homes in the last year for which figures are available; and for what proportion of patients this problem originated in the acute sector. [209891]

Dr. Ladyman: The data are not collected centrally. Pressure sores should be monitored as part of the clinical governance arrangements across the national health service and should also be included in Healthcare Commission inspections.

Public Bodies

Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are employed by the (a) Public Health Laboratory Service, (b) Family Health Services Special Health Authority and (c) NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body; [203743]

(2) how many people are employed by (a) NHS Estates, (b) NHS Professionals, (c) UK Transplant, (d) the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts and (e) the NHS University; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body; [203750]
 
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(3) how many people are employed by the (a) Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, (b) Mental Health Act Commission, (c) National Care Standards Commission, (d) NHS Appointments Commission and (e) Retained Organs Commission; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body; [203751]

(4) how many people are employed by the (a) Dental Vocational Training Authority, (b) Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, (c) National Clinical Assessment Authority, (d) National Blood Authority, (e) NHS Logistics Authority and (f) Prescription Pricing Authority; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body; [203752]

(5) how many people are employed by the (a) Health Development Agency, (b) NHS Information Agency, (c) NHS Modernisation Agency and (d) NHS Pensions Agency; what the running costs of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body. [203824]

Mr. Hutton: Figures for gross operating costs and staff for these bodies were published in the 20 July report, Reconfiguring the Department of Health's Arm's Length Bodies". This report is available in the Library. Staffing levels and running costs will have changed since then and will be adjusted further in setting budgets for 2005–06.

The National Care Standards Commission and the Retained Organs Commission were dissolved on 1 April 2004.

A written ministerial statement about the future of these bodies was made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on Tuesday 30 November, Official Report, columns 24–27WS. An implementation framework, setting out the timetable and process for a number of changes, was published and copies are available in the Library.

Social Services (Older People)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to improve the assessment of older social services clients; and when he expects that the Government target of 70 per cent. completion within two weeks will be reached. [209657]

Dr. Ladyman: In July 2002, the Government announced an additional £1 billion for social services over three years from 2003–04 to 2005–06. We are investing in a range of initiatives to improve care for all older people including grants of £684 million in 2005–06. Councils can use this funding to speed up assessments and the provision of care.

I now expect councils with social services responsibilities to be meeting the December 2004 targets on assessment.
 
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Stewart Report

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which of the recommendations from the Mobile Phone and Health 2004 report by Sir William Stewart have been implemented; [210263]

(2) whether he has met Sir William Stewart to discuss his report Mobile Phones and Health 2004; and if he will make a statement. [210268]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Sir William Stewart, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), announced the new report, Mobile Phones and Health 2004"—Documents of the NRPB, Vol. 15, No 5, 2004—on 11 January 2005. The report has provided a review of the progress made since the Stewart Report in May 2000 and made a number of observations and recommendations. The report is available on the NRPB website at www.nrpb.org and copies are available in the Library. Ministers have not met with Sir William to discuss the report and officials are currently considering the detailed recommendations.

Waiting Times

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times for (a) inpatient and (b) outpatient appointments were in England in each of the last five years. [209916]

Mr. Hutton: Table 1 shows the median waiting time for an inpatient admission at end of month for patients still waiting from March 2000 to November 2004, England.
Table 1: Median waiting time for inpatient waiters

Month ended	Weeks
March 2000	12.9
March 2001	12.6
March 2002	12.7
March 2003	11.9
March 2004	10.2
November 2004	8.4

Source:
Department of Health, QF01 (commissioner based)

Table 2 shows outpatient waiting times, median waits for patients seen during the quarter, March 2000 to November 2004, England.
Table 2: Median outpatient waiting time

Quarter ending	Weeks
March 2000	7.73
March 2001	7.46
March 2002	7.63
March 2003	7.40
March 2004	7.08
Sept 2004	7.13

Source:
Department of Health, QM08R (commissioner based)




 
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Special Advisers

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhether the contracts signed by his special advisers differ from the Model Contract for Special Advisers. [207241]

Mr. Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 17 January 2004, Official Report, column 753W.
 
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