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Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of patients referred by their general practitioner with suspected breast cancer was assessed by a specialist within two weeks at each trust within the Province in the last period for which figures are available. [10956]
Mr. Woodward: The information requested is not currently available. I refer the hon. Lady to an audit of Breast Cancer Services in Northern Ireland produced by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, which is found at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/nicr/pdf/publications/audit_breast.pdf
The audit reported that for patients diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2001, the majority (69 per cent.) of patients were seen within two weeks of being referred by their GP.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of patients in each health trust was treated for breast cancer within six weeks in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [10957]
Mr. Woodward: Information on the treatment of breast cancer is not collected centrally. I refer the hon. Member to an audit of Breast Cancer Services in Northern Ireland produced by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry which is found at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/nicr/pdf/publications/audit_breast.pdf
A table containing a summary of waiting times experienced by breast cancer patients can be found on page 22.
Mr. Peter Robinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been arrested
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or questioned regarding a crime which was caught on CCTV cameras in each of the four Belfast Westminster constituencies in each of the last five years. [18100]
Mr. Hain: The Chief Constable has advised me that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not record statistics by parliamentary constituency. The available information for the four Belfast District Command Units (DCUs) is as follows:
Belfast, EastThe DCU have recorded 93 arrests for various offences that can be attributed to the presence of CCTV which was installed in 2003;
Belfast, NorthThe DCU only collate statistics in respect of CCTV associated arrests related to public order incidents. Since installation in 2002, 230 arrests have been linked to CCTV monitoring. Of those, 200 have resulted in convictions and the remaining 30 are pending interview or charge;
Belfast, SouthThe DCU have a long established CCTV system which is designed for wider usage than in Belfast, North. Between October 2000 and September 2005, 2,451 arrests have been made in Belfast, South that are attributable to the presence of CCTV.
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community paediatric clinics employ staff qualified in child and adolescent mental health in (a) North Belfast and (b) West Belfast. [9483]
Mr. Woodward: The North and West Belfast HSS Trust has one paediatric clinic, which provides a trust wide service across North and West Belfast.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on services for cystic fibrosis sufferers in the Province. [11085]
Mr. Woodward: Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis may access services in both primary care and hospital settings. Specialised regional services for children with cystic fibrosis are provided at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, while specialised regional services for adults are provided at the Belfast City Hospital.
Northern Ireland has one of the best survival rates among cystic fibrosis sufferers in the United Kingdom, and outcomes are comparable to the best cystic fibrosis centres in the world. This may be attributed to early diagnosis, with neonatal screening in place in Northern Ireland for over 20 years, and to the expert care provided by clinical staff, particularly in the specialist centres.
The management of patients with cystic fibrosis requires a multidisciplinary team approach. A major objective of treatment is to promote enhanced self-management and to enable people to maximise their health and well being in the community. This is supported by general and specialised services as required, and tailored to the individual patient's needs.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) effectiveness of cervical cancer screening in the Province. [11073]
Mr. Woodward: The information is as follows.
(a) Within the cervical screening programme there are internal and external quality assurance systems which measure the performance of the programme against agreed national standards. The data for 200203 (the most recent year available) show that the Northern Ireland programme is meeting the national standards, in all board areas.
(b) The number of cervical cancers diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland and the number of deaths attributed to this form of cancer are relatively smallabout 80 new cases and 30 deaths. With such small numbers it is difficult to prove effectiveness but over the last few years there has been a small but gradual decline in the number of deaths here. However figures for England, Scotland and Wales show a sizeable reduction in death numbers, a situation which contrasts with the Republic of Ireland which does not have a comprehensive population-based screening programme. In addition it is noteworthy that there has been an improvement in the five year survival rate which is now 72 per cent. compared to 61 per cent. 10 years ago.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to introduce human papilloma virus testing in the Province for screening against cervical cancer. [11074]
Mr. Woodward: The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing in screening for cervical cancer is still under consideration by the National Screening Committee, which advises Health Ministers and the UK Health Departments on screening policy.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what advice he has received from the Department's regional sub-group regarding introducing liquid-based cytology screening in the Province for cervical cancer. [11075]
Mr. Woodward: The Regional Advisory Group on Cervical Screening has recommended to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety that the cervical screening programme here should adopt the new technology known as liquid-based cytology (LBC). This is already being rolled out in other parts of the UK. The Department is currently seeking to identify funding to make the new technology available in each Board area here, as soon as possible.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland where in the Province pilot schemes have been operating of liquid-based cytology screening. [11076]
Mr. Woodward: There have been no pilot schemes set up in Northern Ireland. It is the Department's intention to introduce liquid based cytology into the cervical screening programme as soon as the necessary funding can be identified.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which boards have commenced pilot schemes of liquid-based cytology screening. [11077]
Mr. Woodward:
Health and Social Services Boards have not introduced any pilot schemes using liquid-based cytology to the cervical screening programme.
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Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residential care places are available in the Province for individuals with early onset dementia. [10962]
Mr. Woodward: The information requested is not available centrally.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have official disability vehicle stickers. [19550]
Mr. Woodward: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Peter Robinson, dated 20 October 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many people in Northern Ireland have official disability vehicle stickers. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
I can advise you that there are currently 79,885 Blue Badges issued to individuals. A further 218 Badges have been issued to organisations who care for people with a disability.
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