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10 Feb 2005 : Column 1689W—continued
Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority
Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was granted to the Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority for (a) capital improvements and (b) capital new build in each of the last eight years; and what the budget is for the coming financial year. [214610]
Ms Rosie Winterton:
The information requested is not collected centrally.
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Draper Report
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he expects the Draper Report on childhood cancer and electromagnetic field exposures from powerlines, to be published; [214532]
(2) when the data on which the Draper Report on childhood cancer and electromagnetic field exposures from powerlines is based was first received by his Department; and if he will make a statement; [214533]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of the data on which the Draper Report on childhood cancer and electromagnetic field exposures from powerlines is based; and if he will make a statement; [214534]
(4) what discussions his Department has held with (a) charities, (b) patient groups, (c) other organisations and (d) representatives of the power industry regarding the potential implications of the Draper Report on childhood cancer and electromagnetic field exposures from powerlines; [214535]
(5) if he will place in the Library a copy of the data on which the Draper Report on childhood cancer and electromagnetic field exposures from powerlines is based; [214536]
(6) if he will list the organisations with whom his Department has held meetings regarding the implications of the Draper Report on childhood cancer and electromagnetic field exposures from powerlines. [214537]
Miss Melanie Johnson: A draft paper by Dr. Draper of Childhood Cancer Research Group at Oxford University into possible links between power lines and childhood leukaemia was submitted to a scientific journal and officials in the Department in November 2004. In accordance with the usual practice, publication will follow the appropriate peer review process and the publication date rests with the publishers. It would be inappropriate to comment on unpublished data, but we will ask the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) to consider the results when published.
The NRPB's Advice on Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields" (Documents of the NRPB Vol 15 No 2 2004) noted that below the guidelines
"an association between prolonged exposure to intense power frequency magnetic fields and a small raised risk of childhood leukaemia has, however, been found, the scientific reasons for which are presently uncertain. In the light of these findings and the requirement for additional research, the need for precautionary measures should be considered by Government".
On the basis of this commendation precautionary measures are currently being considered by departmental officials in association with a large number of stakeholders including other Government Departments, the devolved administrations, the electricity supply industry, the electricity supply regulators and a number of non-government organisations and public concern groups.
Drug Addicts/Misuse
Mr. Connarty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made a comparative assessment
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of the social outcomes for drug users who are under treatment with (a) methadone and (b) buprenorphine; and if he will make a statement. [214277]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department has not commissioned any assessments comparing drug users who are under treatment with methadone, and those under treatment with buprenorphine, specifically in relation to social outcome.
We recognise that there are both advantages and disadvantages for each treatment method. The choice for patients must be determined by the professional prescribing the treatment, taking all the circumstances of individual cases into account.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have received treatment for drug abuse in Coventry, South in the last 12 months. [215071]
Dr. Ladyman: The information is not collected centrally. However, it is available from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, which is now managed by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse. Their latest relevant publication (30 September 2004) is at: http://www.nta.nhs.uk.
Drug Treatment
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of people living within a 50 mile radius of Government-funded drug rehabilitation facilities. [211227]
Miss Melanie Johnson: We have not made a formal estimate of the percentage of people in England living within a 50 mile radius of Government funded drug rehabilitation facilities.
However, as drug action teams have responsibility for ensuring that their local populations have access to all forms of drug treatment, we would not expect anyone in England to be more than 50 miles from a Government funded drug rehabilitation scheme.
Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on provision of drug treatment in Somerset. [214472]
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 effectively able to manage and improve local services.
I understand that in Somerset, the Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust are commissioned to provide specialist drugs services through their Somerset drugs service and complementary rehabilitation services are provided by the charity, Turning Point.
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In order to promote comprehensive provision for those requiring rehabilitation, specialist services and primary care services are increasingly provided through shared care arrangements. In such arrangements general medical practitioners are supported by specialist providers, such as the Somerset drugs service, in providing clinically safe and effective specialist services, based in a primary care setting, for individuals with complex needs. The South Somerset PCT is the lead organisation for primary care drug rehabilitation provision in Somerset.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for a residential drugs rehabilitation place in Lancashire is. [213907]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The average waiting time for a drug rehabilitation place in Lancashire was three weeks in December 2004.
Elective Surgery
Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned regarding the complication rates following elective surgery paid for by the NHS and carried out in (a) NHS hospitals and (b) private hospitals. [211698]
Mr. Hutton: No specific research has been commissioned by the Department. However, the national confidential inquiry into patient outcome and death (NCEPOD), which is managed by National Institute for Clinical Excellence on behalf of the Department, reviews medical clinical practices and makes recommendations to improve the quality of the delivery of care. It does not however compare national health service hospitals with private hospitals. The reports are on their website www.ncepod.org.uk.
Infertility Treatment
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts in England offer women at least one cycle of IVF treatment on the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [213475]
Miss Melanie Johnson: We do not collect this information centrally. We commissioned the clinical guideline on the assessment and treatment of people with fertility problems from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) because we recognised that provision of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is variable between primary care trusts (PCTs). We have welcomed the guideline, published in February 2004, and we have advised PCTs who provide no IVF treatment to meet a minimum national level of provision of one cycle by 1 April 2005. In the longer term we expect the national health service to make progress to full implementation of the NICE guideline.
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