| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
3 Nov 2005 : Column 1329W—continued
Budget Deficits (Oxfordshire)
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the deficit or surplus of each NHS trust in Oxfordshire was for 2004–05; what methodology was used to calculate the outturn; and what action she expects trusts to take to tackle deficits. [20393]
Caroline Flint: Audited information in respect of the 2004–05 financial position of all strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and national health service trusts was published in their individual annual accounts in September. We have no plans to publish un-audited information.
The NHS is in receipt of record resources as a result of the Government's policy on funding in the NHS. Funding of the NHS has increased from £34.7 billion in 1997–98 to £69.7 billion in 2004–05. By 2007–08 spending on the NHS will have increased to over £92
3 Nov 2005 : Column 1330W
billion. With this level of investment all NHS bodies should be able to plan for and achieve financial balance, each and every year.
The Department has no plans to provide additional funding. Any recovery plans developed by the organisations must address the issue of deficits, and the making good of these in future years.
Cancelled Operations
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cancelled operations there have been in each primary care trust in London in each quarter in the last four years. [21717]
Jane Kennedy: The Department does not hold data by primary care trust. However, trust data are available on the following website at: www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data_requests/cancelled_operations.htm.
Cervical Cancer
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list health trusts where liquid-based cytology (a) has been and (b) has not been introduced for testing of cervical smears in all areas in England; and if she will make a statement. [21778]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Since the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published its appraisal of liquid based cytology (LBC) in October 2003, the following hospitals have introduced LBC for cervical screening:
The following hospitals plan to introduce LBC for cervical screening by March 2006:
Congenital Heart Conditions
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many units dedicated to Grown-Up Congenital Heart patients there are in each NHS trust area; what plans she has to increase this number; and if she will make a statement. [16509]
Ms Rosie Winterton: There are 15 national health service trusts providing specialist services to adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease.
There are no plans to increase the number of specialist units.
3 Nov 2005 : Column 1332W
The Government will be publishing a guide for commissioners later this year to assist the NHS with planning and commissioning to meet the needs of grown ups with congenital heart disease. The guide also sets out what patients should expect of services.
Correspondence
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Banbury of 13 September on community health. [20416]
Mr. Byrne: My noble Friend, the Minister of State for National Health Service delivery responded to the hon. Member's letter on 17 October 2005.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps she is taking to improve the Department's performance in replying to correspondence from members of the public; [21914]
(2) what steps she is taking to improve the Department's performance in replying to hon. Members' correspondence. [21915]
Jane Kennedy: Every effort is made to handle all correspondence effectively and efficiently.
All correspondence from hon. Members and Peers is handled in accordance with the principles set out in Handling Correspondence from Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies: Guidance for Departments". The same principles apply when handling correspondence from members of the public.
Information relating to the performance of Departments in replying to hon. Members and Peers' correspondence is published on an annual basis. The report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 137–40WS.
The establishment of the customer service centre and the extra attention and resources directed to this important part of the Department's work have resulted in a considerable improvement both in the timeliness and in the quality of responses. Recent figures show that the Department is now one of the top performers in Government, with more than 90 per cent. of all letters from hon. Members and Peers answered within the Whitehall standard of 20 working days.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |