House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 9 Feb 2006 (pt 39)

9 Feb 2006 : Column 1471W—continued

Breastfeeding

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for a breastfeeding awareness week in England in 2006. [48384]

Caroline Flint: The Department is committed to supporting and promoting breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for infants. National breastfeeding awareness week will be held from 14 to 20 May 2006.

Catalytic Converters

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of the possible health implications arising from the use of monomolecular layers of platinum, with particular reference to catalytic converters. [48456]

Caroline Flint: The possible effects of platinum compounds emitted by vehicles fitted with catalytic converters have been considered by both the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP). Both committees concluded that emissions of allergenic platinum compounds were unlikely. COMEAP commented that adverse reactions might conceivably arise in those already sensitised by other, higher exposures. Details are available in the COT/COC/COM annual report for 1996 and in the COMEAP annual report for 1994.

Cervical Smear Tests

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has received the formal options appraisal of reducing waiting times for the results of cervical smear

9 Feb 2006 : Column 1472W

tests from the university of Sheffield; if she will place a copy of the appraisal in the Library; and if she will make a statement. [43563]

Ms Rosie Winterton: A draft version of the options appraisal for reducing waiting times for the results of cervical screening tests was delivered to the Department on 16 January 2006. The advisory committee on cervical screening met on 18 January to discuss the report, and their views have been passed to the authors of the report to consider. A copy of the final version of the options appraisal will be placed in the Library.

Crack Cocaine

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that frontline staff in (a) health care and (b) social services have adequate education and training concerning crack cocaine use and treatment. [47695]

Caroline Flint: The National Treatment Agency (NTA) has produced a resource pack for treatment providers on crack cocaine treatment, in collaboration with COCA, a stimulant-specialist organisation. The NTA also commissioned training to accompany the resource.

The drugs and alcohol national occupational standards (DANOS) specify the standards of performance that people in the drugs and alcohol field should be working to. They also describe the knowledge and skills workers need in order to perform to the required standard. The DANOS standards on service delivery give guidance on the scope of what competence-based training should cover, including crack, cocaine and other stimulant use.

Diabetics (Eye Tests)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with (a) patient groups and (b) clinicians on regular eye tests for diabetics. [46250]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The national service framework for diabetes has a specific target of screening everyone at risk of diabetic retinopathy, and ensuring they are treated, by the end of 2007. Patient representatives and clinicians have played an important role on the national diabetic retinopathy screening project advisory group set up to steer the development of the screening programme.

Free sight tests on the national health service are available to people with diabetes and we recommend people with diabetes have their eyes tested every year.

Drug Treatment Programmes

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many problem drug users have participated in drug treatment programmes in each of the last five years. [47702]

Caroline Flint: The numbers in treatment figures for the past two years are shown on the table.

9 Feb 2006 : Column 1473W

Number

2003–04 125,545

2004–05 160,450

	Number
2003–04	125,545
2004–05	160,450

The 1998–99 baseline against which these figures are calculated is 85,000. The Department's public service agreement is to double the numbers in treatment between 1998 and 2008.

The National Treatment Agency introduced a revised and more accurate methodology for counting the numbers in treatment, in October 2004. Figures are not available for the years 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03 although the potential for providing estimates based on data collecting using the earlier methodology is being explored.

Food Labelling

Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why the labelling information on foodstuffs uses 100 g as the standard unit. [44617]

Caroline Flint: The United Kingdom labelling regulations implement, among other pieces of legislation, a European Community Directive (90/496/EEC) which lays down harmonised rules about how nutritional information should be presented on food packaging. One such rule in the directive is that the nutrient amounts should be given per 100 g of the food. Manufacturers may also provide nutritional information on a per quantified serving or per portion basis, provided the total number of portions per pack is stated.

General Medical Council

Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual renewal fee for registration with theGeneral Medical Council was in each year since 2000. [48138]

9 Feb 2006 : Column 1474W

Jane Kennedy: The annual renewal fee for registration with the General Medical Council in the year 2000 was £135. In 2001, the fee was £170. In 2002, this was set at £290 and has remained at this amount in subsequent years.

GM Food

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research findings she has assessed onthe health implications of (a) GM soya and (b) theintroduction of genes from bean varieties into GM peas. [36424]

Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has sought advice from the advisory committee on novel food and processes (ACNFP) regarding what conclusions may be drawn from the results of a preliminary study conducted in Russia on the offspring of rats given flour from genetically modified soya beans. The ACNFP discussed this study on 24 November 2005 and a statement detailing its comments has been published on the ACNFP's website along with the draft minutes of the meeting.

At the same meeting, the FSA also sought advice from the ACNFP on a paper published by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, which details the immunological effects in mice exposed to peas genetically modified to contain a bean protein. The ACNFP's comments will be finalised when the minutes are formally adopted at the following meeting in January 2006. The draft minutes are available on the ACNFP's website at: www.acnfp.gov.uk/meetings/acnfpmeet2006/acnfpmeet25jan06/acnfpagendapapers25jan06.

General Practitioner Appointments

Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have (a) requested and (b) received an appointment to see a GP within 48 hours in (i) Uxbridge constituency and (ii) Greater London, broken down by London borough, in each year since 1997. [48517]

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not hold this information in the format requested.

However, the table shows the percentage of patients that were able to be offered a consultation with a general practitioner within two working days by London primary care trusts for March 2003 to December 2005.

Percentage

March 2003 March 2004 March 2005⁽³¹⁾ December 2005⁽³¹⁾

Uxbridge

Q04 5AT 5AT 5AT Hillingdon PCT 88.38 97.63 100.00 100.00
London borough PCTs:

Q05 5A9 5A9 5A9 Barnet PCT 79.75 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q05 5K7 5K7 5K7 Camden PCT 87.05 96.38 100.00 100.00

Q05 SCI 5CI 5CI Enfield PCT 70.71 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q05 5C9 5C9 5C9 Haringey Teaching PCT 92.98 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q05 5K8 5K8 5K8 Islington PCT 69.67 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q06 5C2 5C2 5C2 Barking & Dagenham PCT 86.17 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q06 5C3 5C3 5C3 City & Hackney PCT 84.03 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q06 5A4 5A4 5A4 Havering PCT 90.25 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q06 5C5 5C5 5C5 Newham PCT 90.31 96.33 100.00 100.00

Q06 5C4 5C4 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 67.38 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q06 — 5NC 5NC Waltham Forest PCT⁽³²⁾ — 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q06 — 5NA 5NA Redbridge PCT⁽³²⁾ — 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q06 5C6 — — Walthamstow, Leyton & Leytonstone PCT⁽³²⁾ 79.58 — — —

Q06 5C7 — — Chingford, Wanstead & Woodford PCT⁽³²⁾ 55.57 — — —

Q04 5K5 5K5 5K5 Brent PCT 81.88 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q04 5HX 5HX 5HX Ealing PCT 68.13 97.19 100.00 100.00

Q04 5H1 5H1 5H1 Hammersmith & Fulham PCT 95.92 97.12 100.00 100.00

Q04 5K6 5K6 5K6 Harrow PCT 90.53 98.73 100.00 100.00

Q04 SAT SAT SAT Hillingdon PCT 88.38 97.63 100.00 100.00

Q04 SHY SHY SHY Hounslow PCT 62.77 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q04 5LA 5LA 5LA Kensington & Chelsea PCT 86.84 90.40 100.00 100.00

Q04 5LC 5LC 5LC Westminster PCT 78.90 91.35 100.00 100.00

Q07 5AX 5AX 5TAK Bexley Care Trust 95.96 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q07 5A7 5A7 5A7 Bromley PCT 90.83 93.55 100.00 100.00

Q07 5A8 5A8 5A8 Greenwich Teaching PCT 80.40 93.36 100.00 100.00

Q07 5LD 5LD 5LD Lambeth PCT 92.11 96.75 100.00 100.00

Q07 5LF 5LF 5LF Lewisham PCT 95.59 92.74 97.36 100.00

Q07 5LE 5LE 5LE Southwark PCT 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q08 5K9 5K9 5K9 Croydon PCT 95.41 98.92 100.00 100.00

Q08 5A5 5A5 5A5 Kingston PCT 93.30 93.03 100.00 100.00

Q08 5M6 5M6 5M6 Richmond & Twickenham PCT 98.50 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q08 5M7 5M7 5M7 Sutton & Merton PCT 83.63 100.00 100.00 100.00

Q08 5LG 5LG 5LG Wandsworth PCT 85.04 98.52 100.00 100.00

⁽³¹⁾ From April 2004, access to a GP at a local NHS Walk-in Centre may count towards the 48 hour primary care access target, but only for practices that have an agreement with an NHS Walk-in Centre, which offers GP services, that includes referring and/or diverting practice patients.
⁽³²⁾ From April 2003 Walthamstow, Leyton & Leytonstone PCT, Chingford, Wanstead & Woodford PCT and Redbridge PCT merged into the two new PCTs, Waltham Forest PCT and Redbridge PCT.
Source:
Primary Care Access Survey-Percentage of patients able to be offered a consultation with a general practitioner within two working days.

9 Feb 2006 : Column 1475W

								Percentage
					March 2003	March 2004	March 2005⁽³¹⁾	December 2005⁽³¹⁾
Uxbridge
Q04	5AT	5AT	5AT	Hillingdon PCT	88.38	97.63	100.00	100.00
London borough PCTs:
Q05	5A9	5A9	5A9	Barnet PCT	79.75	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q05	5K7	5K7	5K7	Camden PCT	87.05	96.38	100.00	100.00
Q05	SCI	5CI	5CI	Enfield PCT	70.71	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q05	5C9	5C9	5C9	Haringey Teaching PCT	92.98	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q05	5K8	5K8	5K8	Islington PCT	69.67	100.00	100.00	100.00

Q06	5C2	5C2	5C2	Barking & Dagenham PCT	86.17	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q06	5C3	5C3	5C3	City & Hackney PCT	84.03	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q06	5A4	5A4	5A4	Havering PCT	90.25	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q06	5C5	5C5	5C5	Newham PCT	90.31	96.33	100.00	100.00
Q06	5C4	5C4	5C4	Tower Hamlets PCT	67.38	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q06	—	5NC	5NC	Waltham Forest PCT⁽³²⁾	—	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q06	—	5NA	5NA	Redbridge PCT⁽³²⁾	—	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q06	5C6	—	—	Walthamstow, Leyton & Leytonstone PCT⁽³²⁾	79.58	—	—	—
Q06	5C7	—	—	Chingford, Wanstead & Woodford PCT⁽³²⁾	55.57	—	—	—

Q04	5K5	5K5	5K5	Brent PCT	81.88	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q04	5HX	5HX	5HX	Ealing PCT	68.13	97.19	100.00	100.00
Q04	5H1	5H1	5H1	Hammersmith & Fulham PCT	95.92	97.12	100.00	100.00
Q04	5K6	5K6	5K6	Harrow PCT	90.53	98.73	100.00	100.00
Q04	SAT	SAT	SAT	Hillingdon PCT	88.38	97.63	100.00	100.00
Q04	SHY	SHY	SHY	Hounslow PCT	62.77	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q04	5LA	5LA	5LA	Kensington & Chelsea PCT	86.84	90.40	100.00	100.00
Q04	5LC	5LC	5LC	Westminster PCT	78.90	91.35	100.00	100.00

Q07	5AX	5AX	5TAK	Bexley Care Trust	95.96	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q07	5A7	5A7	5A7	Bromley PCT	90.83	93.55	100.00	100.00
Q07	5A8	5A8	5A8	Greenwich Teaching PCT	80.40	93.36	100.00	100.00
Q07	5LD	5LD	5LD	Lambeth PCT	92.11	96.75	100.00	100.00
Q07	5LF	5LF	5LF	Lewisham PCT	95.59	92.74	97.36	100.00
Q07	5LE	5LE	5LE	Southwark PCT	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00

Q08	5K9	5K9	5K9	Croydon PCT	95.41	98.92	100.00	100.00
Q08	5A5	5A5	5A5	Kingston PCT	93.30	93.03	100.00	100.00
Q08	5M6	5M6	5M6	Richmond & Twickenham PCT	98.50	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q08	5M7	5M7	5M7	Sutton & Merton PCT	83.63	100.00	100.00	100.00
Q08	5LG	5LG	5LG	Wandsworth PCT	85.04	98.52	100.00	100.00

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