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20 Jul 2005 : Column 1891W—continued
Alzheimer's Disease
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned to determine more cost-effective ways of treating Alzheimer's disease in addition to that being undertaken by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. [11589]
Mr. Byrne [holding answer 13 July 2005]: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is a special health authority, set up in April 1999 specifically to give advice to the national health service on best clinical practice, including the clinical and cost effectiveness of drugs and other treatments.
The majority of the Department's expenditure on health research is allocated to and managed by NHS organisations. Details of individual projects supported in the NHS, including some 160 to do with Alzheimer's disease can be found on the national research register at: www.dh.gov.uk/research.
Ambulance Services
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many ambulances there are in Lancashire; and if she will make a statement; [12427]
(2) how many ambulances are operated by Lancashire ambulance trust; how many people work for Lancashire ambulance trust; and what assessment she has made of the service provided by the trust. [12549]
Mr. Byrne:
The number of ambulances operated by Lancashire ambulance service national health service trust is not held centrally.
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Each ambulance service should plan to provide appropriate resources to meet local demand. This may include resources in addition to ambulance provision, for example, using community paramedics or emergency care practitioners.
As a result of the Department's strategic review of ambulance services, we expect the number of ambulance vehicles to increase over the next few years. The size of the fleet and fleet mix will vary across the country depending on operational and geographical requirements.
The number of staff employed by the Lancashire ambulance service NHS trust is shown in the table.
Source:
Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census 2004
NHS trusts are assessed by the Healthcare Commission on an annual basis. In 2004–05, Lancashire ambulance service NHS trust received three stars, the highest rating.
20 Jul 2005 : Column 1893W
Arm's Length Bodies
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arm's length bodies have been (a) established and (b) dissolved by her Department since 30 November 2004. [12623]
Jane Kennedy: The list shows which of the Department's arm's length bodies have been established and dissolved since 30 November 2004.
Arm's-length Bodies
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff (a) by headcount and (b) by full-time equivalent, were employed in the arm's length bodies contained in her Department's review of arm's length bodies as at (i) September 2003, (ii) September 2004 and (iii) the most recent date for which figures are available. [3359]
Jane Kennedy: The numbers of staff working in the Department's arm's length bodies are not readily available for September 2003 and 2004. The data shown in the table is available only in whole-time equivalents.
Bed Occupancy Rates
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average bed occupancy rate for each acute hospital in England was in the last period for which figures are available. [12388]
Mr. Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 29 June 2005, Official Report, column 1606W.
Broadmoor
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people with Asperger's Syndrome are resident at Broadmoor; [12796]
(2) how many people diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome have left Broadmoor in each of the last five years. [12797]
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Mr. Byrne: There are currently 16 people resident at Broadmoor hospital who have Asperger's syndrome of some degree. The number of patients diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome that have left Broadmoor since 2000 is shown in the table.
| Number of patients discharged | |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
Cancer Treatment
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out by her Department into the effectiveness of Anastrozole in treating breast cancer. [11286]
Jane Kennedy: None. It is for the manufacturer to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of medicinal products.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is taking to expedite approval of cancer treatments. [11513]
Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent organisation which develops its guidance, including for cancer treatments, after careful consideration of the available evidence and in consultation with stakeholders. The process by which NICE develops its guidance is a matter for the Institute. Its processes have been developed through wide consultation, are transparent and have been endorsed by the World Health Organisation. NICE reviews its processes regularly in order to identify opportunities for efficiencies in the way they are applied.
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