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6 Mar 2007 : Column 1959W—continued
The second indicator is the proportion of injecting drug users attending treatment and support agencies who are aware of their hepatitis C infection. The
proportion of those who are aware of their hepatitis C infection has increased from 42 per cent. in 2002 to 52 per cent. in 2005.
Research into awareness among general practitioners/practices nurses and the public indicates that awareness of hepatitis C has increased since the campaign began.
The routine immunisation programme in the UK aims to protect all babies and children from the age of two months onwards. The serious diseases that the programme protects against include—Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough (pertussis), Hib ( Haemophilus influenzae type b), Polio, Meningitis C, Pneumococcal infection, measles, mumps, rubella.
The impact of advertising and other communication materials are regularly monitored through public surveys involving around 2,000 parents each year. From this we know that more than 70 per cent. of parents use our printed material and that recall of TV advertising is high. Health professionals have a high awareness of, and positive reactions to, the Department/Immunisation Information materials available.
In March 2001, the Department launched a national campaign, “mind out for mental health”, aimed at tackling the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems. The campaign was aimed at key groups such as employers, the media and young people; as well as the public in general, to help raise awareness of mental health issues and put an end to stigma and discrimination. This campaign came to an end on 31 March 2004. We believe the campaign has been a positive presence but do not have direct evidence of any impact on health indicators.
Work around reducing teenage pregnancy is based on a number of different strands, one of which is the national campaigning work. It is therefore impossible to separate out these strands when it comes to assessing the overall effectiveness of the work.
Teenage pregnancy rates are falling. Between the 1998 baseline year and 2004 (the latest year for which data are available) the under-18 conception rate has fallen by 11.1 per cent, and the under-16 rate has fallen by 15.2 per cent. Both rates are now at their lowest level for 20 years.
Evaluation of the sex lottery campaign December 2002 to December 2004, focused primarily on campaign recognition, perceptions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and condom usage.
In terms of awareness of advertising about STIs, non-promoted awareness increased from 35 per cent. at the start to 53 per cent. by the end of the campaign.
In addition, there were some significant shifts in attitudes to STIs throughout the life of the campaign in particular in terms of potential risk (the risk of getting an STI has increased—more than 11 per cent.) and in terms of protection (It does not matter how many partners someone has as long as they are careful, i.e. use a condom—more than 9 per cent).
These changes in attitude are being built on as part of the new adult sexual health campaign, condom essential wear, which was launched in November 2006. Based on social marketing principles the new campaign aims to bring about positive behavioural change in regard to sexual health.
Behavioural change takes time and will therefore need to be measured over a number of years. Attitudes and behavioural indicators were benchmarked in November 2006 and the fieldwork for the first phase of campaign evaluation is due to commence in early March 2007.
A comprehensive strategy to tackle smoking and to reduce the deaths caused by smoking has been in place since publication of “Smoking Kills” in 1998. The strategy focuses on action to discourage people from starting to smoke and to provide support for all smokers, of whatever age and sex, who wish to quit. We are aiming to create a climate where non-smoking is the norm.
We have banned almost all tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion; introduced strong tobacco pack health warnings; and from December 1999 run highly effective national anti-smoking education campaigns raising awareness of the health damage of smoking and secondhand smoke. People who wish to give up smoking can get help from the national health service stop smoking—a world leading programme we set up.
In 2006, Parliament passed the Health Act which includes provision for the prohibition of smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces. This will mean every pub, club, membership club, cafe, restaurant, shopping centre, office and public and work transport will become smoke-free on Sunday 1 July 2007, when the legislation is implemented.
The Government’s strategy has helped reduce smoking rates in England from 28 per cent. in 1998 to 24 per cent. in terms of 2005 populations, the latest year for which figures are available, meaning around 1.6 million fewer smokers in England. These are the lowest smoking rates in England on record and indicate that the Government is on track to meet the PSA target of 21 per cent. or lower smoking prevalence in 2010.
No research has been undertaken into the effectiveness of this campaign.
DEFRA’s annual Household Expenditure Survey for 2005-06 (published in January 2007) recorded the biggest increase in fruit and vegetables purchases (7.7 per cent.) for over 20 years. This was aligned to a 6 per cent. decrease in confectionery sales.
The Food Standards Agency Consumer Attitudes Survey 2005 showed that 67 per cent. of people are now aware that they should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, up from 43 per cent. in 2000.
The 5 A DAY logo was launched by Department on 25 March 2003 and over 550 organisations are licensed to use it. The 5 A DAY logo now appears on over 700 fruit and vegetable products in shops and restaurants.
Rapid Review Panel
Mr. Lansley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health on which dates the Rapid Review Panel met since
December 2003; how many product assessments the panel undertook since December 2003; how many assessed products were recommended to her Department for use in the NHS; how many products were recommended for use by the NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency; and how many products in use by the NHS were recommended by the panel. [116151]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Rapid Review Panel (RRP) has met 12 times since its first meeting. It met on the 24 August 2004, 29 November 2004, 26 January 2005, 24 February 2005, 25 May 2005, 14 July 2005, 18 October 20058, 23 March 2006, 9 May 2006, 7 July 2006, 21 September 2006 and 12 December 2006.
The panel has undertaken 168 assessments since its first meeting.
Three products have demonstrated sufficient basic research and development, validation and recent in use evaluations to enable the RRP to conclude that the products have shown benefits that should be available to the national health service.
The NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency (PASA) does not recommend particular products. PASA’s Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing has published a report confirming that there is significant potential for benefit from using Bard catheters, which are one of the three recommendation one products (basic research and development, validation and recent in use evaluations have shown benefits that should be available to NHS bodies to include as appropriate in their cleaning, hygiene or infection control protocols). Early data suggest that NHS Supply Chain are supplying 31 trusts including some primary care trusts and hospitals with Bard catheters with sales totalling around 60,000.
The Department does not have full information on the use of these three recommendation one products as infection control products do not have to be purchased through NHS Supply Chain.
A number of recommendation two products (basic research and development has been completed and the product may have potential value; in use evaluations and trials are now needed in an NHS clinical setting) are already incorporated into NHS Supply Chain strategic resourcing arrangements, listed to be included in particular contracting rounds, or being evaluated in departmental funded studies.
Tarceva
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to report on the drug Tarceva. [125799]
Caroline Flint: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is expected to issue final guidance to the national health service on Tarceva for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in April 2007.
Translation Services
Mr. Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what services provided by her Department and its related agencies translation services are provided. [113888]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department translates a range of documents into alternative languages. These materials include public information leaflets, correspondence and guidance documentation.
There is currently no central record of the translation activities of related agencies, and the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Tuberculosis: Greater London
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many diagnoses of tuberculosis there were in each London borough in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006. [121926]
Caroline Flint: The information requested is shown in the table.
| Cases of tuberculosis in each London borough in 2005 | |
| Local authority | Number of case reports |
| Note: Data as at 19 February 2007. 2006 data are not yet available. Source: Health Protection Agency enhanced tuberculosis surveillance. | |
Turnaround Programme
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Northavon of 15 January 2007, Official Report, column 930W, on the turnaround programme, how many strategic health authority turnaround directors have been appointed since February 2006. [121857]
Andy Burnham: 11 turnaround directors were appointed in February 2006 to work with the strategic health authorities.
University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust: Finance
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Exceptional Income (SHA Bank Support), as stated in appendix C of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust’s Financial Performance Report for the month ending 30 November 2006, is in-year financial support; and if she will make a statement. [118144]
Caroline Flint: The three strategic health authorities (SHAs) that merged to form the NHS West Midlands SHA created a reserve from contributions made by primary care trusts in their areas. This reserve was allowed to be used to offset costs associated with major service restructuring and increased activity on patient care by local trusts, including the University Hospital of North Staffordshire national health service trust. These arrangements are in line with the Department’s operating framework for the NHS in 2006-07.
Vaccination
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department maintains a three-month stock of routine use vaccines. [123133]
Caroline Flint: The Department aims to maintain a three-month stock of vaccines for the routine childhood immunisation programme.
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