| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
25 Oct 2005 : Column 269W—continued
NHS Structure (Essex)
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for reorganisation of the NHS organisational structures in Essex. [20913]
Mr. Byrne: First ideas for a stronger local national health service in Essex have been developed locally by Essex Strategic Health Authority in collaboration with partner organisations and stakeholder groups.
These plans have now been submitted to the Department. After initial assessments, all options for the reorganisation of the NHS in Essex (and indeed all other areas) shall be subject to a full, statutory public consultation. No decisions on the final form of new NHS structures will be taken until after these consultations have been completed.
Obesity
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on obesity management in the NHS in each of the last five years. [19021]
25 Oct 2005 : Column 270W
Caroline Flint: Information on the amount spent by the national health service on obesity management is not held centrally. However, the National Audit Office report, Tackling Obesity in England", published in 2001, estimated that the direct cost to the NHS of treating obesity and its consequences in 1998 was £480 million. As part of its inquiry into obesity, the Health Select Committee estimated that in 2002 the direct cost to the NHS was between £990 million and £1,225 million.
Out-patient Appointments (Gravesham)
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was in the last three years for an out-patient appointment in Gravesham. [20071]
Caroline Flint:
The estimated average time waited for first out-patient appointment following general practitioner written referrals for Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley primary care trust (commissioner based) is shown in the table.
25 Oct 2005 : Column 271W
| Quarter ended (June) | Median (weeks) |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 7.9 |
| 2004 | 7.9 |
| 2005 | 6.9 |
Source:
Department of Health form QM08R
25 Oct 2005 : Column 272W
Paediatric Nurses
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average age of paediatric nurses employed in the national health service has been in each year since 1997. [18768]
Mr. Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
n/a = not available
Notes:
1. Nurse consultant figures are unavailable prior to 2001.
2. Average ages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Source:
Health and Social Care Information Centre non-medical workforce census.
Patient Records
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust on sending confidential patient records to South Africa for processing. [18825]
Caroline Flint: We are aware of reports that Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals National Health Service Trust currently employ a South African company to type up medical notes.
It is the responsibility of local NHS clinicians and managers to ensure the confidentiality of patient information in these, as in all other circumstances.
Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority has advised that the trust has followed guidelines published by the information commissioner and the European Union relating to the transfer of personal data outside the EU.
Pregnancy Health
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to help pregnant women who (a) smoke and (b) are addicted to drugs; and if she will make a statement. [20611]
Caroline Flint: Midwives provide the majority of care for pregnant mothers as well as advice and support on healthy lifestyles including smoking and drug misuse.
The Government aim to reach pregnant smokers through the ongoing partners" education campaign, which provides information about smoking, the benefits to the health of both mother and baby in quitting, and how partners and families can provide support.
The national health service stop smoking services were allocated an additional £6 million in 2001–02 to 2002–03 to target smoking in pregnancy and to provide specialist advisers to help pregnant smokers to quit. Pregnant women can also access our free, dedicated helpline for all smokers on 0800 169 0 169 and the specific helpline for pregnant women smokers on 0800 169 9 169. Local services are expected to liaise with Sure Start to ensure the most effective delivery of service to the women who need it most.
Drug misuse among pregnant women is identified through ante-natal care from their midwife or local general practitioner. Where identified, an assessment is carried out and the appropriate treatment and support arranged both during and post pregnancy. To deliver high quality care services for pregnant drug users, there is a co-ordinated approach between drug services, maternity services and children's health and social care services. Pregnant women are a vulnerable group as far as drugs misuse is concerned and where appropriate will be given top priority.
Obstetric departments are advised to develop good links with local drug specialists and GPs and the local social services. All local statutory authorities should have a written policy about drug misusing parents and all professionals involved should be aware of this policy.
Pressure Sores
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has achieved its 5 per cent. per annum target for reduction of pressure sores. [19863]
Mr. Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 231W
Progress Educational Trust
Bob Spink:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what criteria were used in selecting the Progress Educational Trust to conduct an online consultation on behalf of the Department of Health as part of its review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act—A Public Consultation; how much funding has been allocated to the Trust for this purpose; and when she expects to receive the results; [18930]
25 Oct 2005 : Column 273W
(2) what assessment she made of possible conflict of interest for the Progress Educational Trust in asking it to conduct an online consultation on behalf of her Department as part of its review of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act—A Public Consultation; [18931]
(3) which organisations were considered in deciding who should conduct an online consultation on behalf of her Department as part of its review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act—A Public Consultation. [18932]
Caroline Flint: The Department launched a public consultation on the review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 on 16 August 2005. The closing date for responses is 25 November 2005. The Department is keen to receive responses from as many individuals and organisations as possible. In order to encourage this we have set up an online consultation response facility on the Department's website. We have not asked anyone to conduct this online consultation on behalf of the Department.
Progress Educational Trust is a voluntary organisation which aims to increase public awareness and engagement on issues in assisted reproduction and human genetics. Progress has applied for, and been awarded, a number of grants through the Department's scheme of grants for voluntary sector organisations, known as Section 64 funding. Progress is currently in receipt of £11,210 to host an online discussion forum to encourage public discussion and debate on the issues raised by the Government's review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |