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2 Dec 2005 : Column 848W—continued
Epilepsy
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the work force development requirements to meet (a) the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence epilepsy standards and (b) the National Service Framework for long-term medical conditions in respect of epilepsy. [31640]
Jane Kennedy: The Long Term Conditions Care Group Workforce Team, hosted by Skills for Health, has identified a range of work force issues and is working with the Department and other stakeholders to support local planning and develop solutions for local implementation.
Food Additives
Jeremy Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the
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impact of food additives being listed by name instead of by E numbers on food products, with particular reference to nursery and child care facilities. [30945]
Caroline Flint: Policy responsibility for food labelling lies with the Food Standards Agency. The law requires that additives be identified by a category name, which describes the function performed by the additive in the food, followed by either the specific name of the additive and/or its E number. The Government have not commissioned any research into the usage of specific names instead of E numbers or the impact of such labelling.
Formula Milk
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what controls her Department imposes on the contents of formula milk products sold in England. [29595]
Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency has the policy lead on the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations (1995) which control the content of infant formula products in the United Kingdom. The regulations, which implement European Commission directive 91/321/EEC, lay down strict rules regarding the composition of infant formula. The directive and the implementing national measure also contain rules on the labelling, advertising and promotion of infant formula to ensure that this information does not negatively impact on the promotion of breastfeeding. The regulations are enforced in England by local authorities.
GM Food
Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department will obtain an analysis of the recent research by the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted by Irina Ermakova on GM-fed rats. [29431]
Caroline Flint: A short report of the research was published on the website of a Russian environmental organisation in October 2005. This report describes a small scale study on rats fed an unspecified variety of genetically modified soya flour. The Food Standards Agency is seeking advice from the Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes on what conclusions may be drawn from this research.
Hemel Hempstead Hospital
Mike Penning:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many letters she has received from members of the public in Hemel Hempstead constituency about the closure of the (a) acute accident and emergency unit, (b) wards, (c) stroke unit and (d) cardiac unit at Hemel Hempstead hospital; and if she will make a statement; [30180]
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(2) how many letters she has received from members of the public in Hemel Hempstead constituency inviting her to visit the Hemel Hempstead hospital; and if she will make a statement; [30181]
(3) how many letters she has received from members of the public in Hemel Hempstead constituency about (a) the proposed closure of the children's ward and (b) the closure of the intensive care unit at Hemel Hempstead hospital; and if she will make a statement. [30259]
Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer (30259) 21 November 2005]: The information is not collected in the format requested. However, the number of letters received from members of the public about Hemel Hempstead hospital in the period 1 June to 16 November 2005 is approximately around 800. This figure does not include campaign slips of which there were approximately 3,500.
Hemicrania Continua
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve the standard of care offered to those suffering from hemicrania continua; what treatments are available for the condition; and what steps she is taking to ensure the most clinically appropriate treatment for the condition is offered to patients throughout England. [31013]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions, published in March 2005, specifically focuses on improving the health and social care for people with neurological conditions, including those suffering from hemicrania continua. People with these conditions will get faster diagnosis, more rapid treatment and a comprehensive package of care under the NSF.
There are a range of drugs, and clinical interventions, which can be used to alleviate the symptoms of hemicrania continua. It is for health professionals to decide, on an individual basis, the most appropriate treatment.
HIV
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the overall cost to (a) the NHS and (b) other public funds of an untreated case of HIV infection. [31007]
Caroline Flint: We have made no estimate of the overall cost to the public purse of leaving a case of HIV infection untreated.
Our estimate of the cost to the national health service of drug treatment for an individual with HIV ranges from approximately £12,000 to £18,000–19,000 per year depending on disease stage. The average cost is £14,000, per person per year. The treatment is lifelong.
Hospitals (Catering)
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which outside companies provide catering services to NHS hospitals. [33132]
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Jane Kennedy: The table shows the external catering companies that are identified in the estates related information collection as providers of whole or part catering services to national health service hospitals.
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