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13 Mar 2006 : Column 2022W—continued
MRSA
Mr. MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many MRSA cases there were in each hospital in Cumbria in each of the last three years. [57739]
Mr. Byrne [holding answer 10 March 2006]: The information is not available by individual hospital in Cumbria. However, the number of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cases by national health service trust is shown in the table.
(56) 2004–05 rate per 1,000 bed days is provisional as final 2004–05 activity data are not yet available.
Source:
Department of Health Mandatory MRSA Bacteraemia Surveillance Scheme—MRSA bacteraemia by NHS Trust
NHS Finance
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the percentage increase in the NHS budget has been in each year since 1997, (a) in cash terms, (b) taking into account UK inflation, (c) taking into account public sector inflation and (d) taking into account NHS inflation. [36429]
Mr. Byrne: The table shows net national health service expenditure and percentage increases from 1996–97 to 2007–08 in cash terms, adjusted by gross domestic product (GDP) deflator, and by NHS specific inflation.
An index for public sector inflation is not available.
(57) Figures are not consistent over the period to 2007–08, hence no comparisons should be made across different periods.
(58) Based on the gross domestic product deflator series as at 23 December 2005.
(59) NHS inflation index is only available up to 2003–04.
(60) Expenditure pre 1999–2000 is on a cash basis.
(61) Expenditure figures from 1999–2000 to 2002–03 are on a stage 1 resource budgeting basis.
(62) Expenditure figures from 2003–04 to 2007–08 are on a stage 2 resource budgeting basis.
(63) The resource budgeting stage 2 expenditure figures shown for 2004–05 to 2007–08 are consistent with the 2005 departmental report and chief executive's report.
(64) Estimated.
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2023W
Organ Donation
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to question 54257, on organ donation, what steps are being taken to improve rates of cadaveric organ donation; and if she will make a statement. [57295]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Over 13 million people have registered on the organ donor register (ODR), 22 per cent. of the United Kingdom population. The Department gives around £1 million yearly to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to run the ODR and to promote transplantation and also provides Section 64 grants to a number of charities. Specific initiatives to improve cadaveric organ donation rates include funding through NHSBT to support hospital based schemes, high profile media initiatives and partnership working with a range of organisations to increase the number of people registered on the ODR and to encourage donation.
Out-of-hours Provision
Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the primary care trusts which received supplementary out-of-hours funding following the introduction of the new GP contract. [56320]
Mr. Byrne: In 2005–06, £11.5 million supplementary out-of-hours funding was allocated directly to strategic health authorities (SHAs). 50 per cent. was allocated on a weighted capitation basis to each SHA. The remaining 50 per cent. was allocated to SHAs to support the 50 most rural primary care trusts (PCTs).
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18 March 2005, Official Report, column 520–21W, which shows the 50 most rural PCTs that received supplementary out-of-hours funding following the introduction of the new general practitioner contract on account of their rural character.
These funds were aggregated to SHA level for them to distribute accordingly.
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2024W
Over-the-counter Medicines
Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on the Better Regulation of Over-the-Counter Medicines Initiative; and what its terms of reference are. [55302]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 9 March 2006]: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is committed to developing regulation which is proportionate, accountable, consistent, transparent and targeted and is considering how unnecessary regulatory burdens, primarily in relation to over the counter (OTC) medicines, could be eased.
To take this important initiative forward, the MHRA is leading the Better Regulation of OTC Medicines Initiative (BROMI)—a broad ranging strategy group, which includes representatives from the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, the non-proprietary sector, the National Pharmacy Association, and wider government.
The group first met in December 2005 at which the terms of reference and a work plan were developed. The terms of reference were finalised by the BROMI group at their meeting on 1 March and these are:
To assess the regulatory process in relation to the over the counter (OTC) medicines sector to identify areas of overlap and duplication where control could be exercised through different mechanisms;
To identify areas where a simplified approach to the operation and delivery of the regulation of OTC medicines would benefit all stakeholders;
To determine what measures need to be in place to enable a proportionate approach to OTC medicines regulation while maintaining safeguards to protect public health;
To identify and make proposals to facilitate change and tackle barriers to achieving it, and produce an action plan; and
The group has met four times and is considering a range of options for easing unnecessary regulatory burdens in relation to OTC medicines and I have asked that BROMI delivers its first proposals to simplify regulatory burdens for OTC medicines in April 2006.
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