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UK estimates of number of A & E attendances for non-fatal home and leisure accident injuries—all accidents and by location
				1997	1998		1999		2000		2001		2002
Ages 0 to 4
All accidents				768,420	743,180		740,730		686,770		632,700		617,320
Home				595,440	580,470		579,300		533,210		489,680		477,490
Hospital/health clinic/nursing home				1,600	1,990		1,960		1,580		1,910		1,600
Other medical establishment				200	160		110		210		230		160
Inside crèche/nursery/kindergarten				6,860	7,380		8,410		8,180		8,680		7,010
Inside school/university/college (excluding sport area)				3,760	4,880		4,220		4,360		4,120		5,000
School/nursery/kindergarten playground				11,040	10,920		11,720		12,120		13,140		13,120
Other education area (excluding sport area) and unspecified education area				3,860	3,980		3,400		3,410		3,780		3,770
Sport education area				1,180	1,230		1,190		1,010		790		1,090
Sport area (excluding education area)				5,050	5,290		5,380		5,320		4,890		5,000
Public playground				5,620	5,980		7,390		6,120		6,280		6,790
Parkland/cemetery/gardens				8,400	6,800		7,500		7,360		6,280		7,050
Other location				125,410	114,090		110,140		103,890		92,910		89,240
Ages 5 to 14
All accidents				1,593,280	1,504,420		1,541,230		1,430,150		1,382,990		1,360,690
Home				462,610	445,830		464,440		433,280		410,800		405,020
Hospital/health clinic/nursing home				870	1,070		950		940		860		1,110
Other medical establishment				60	100		90		90		120		120
Inside crèche/nursery/kindergarten				550	470		570		660		550		620
Inside school/university/college (excluding sport area)				73,910	76,110		82,620		78,690		75,900		71,030
School/nursery/kindergarten playground				119,320	128,040		138,530		124,340		130,270		126,140
Other education area (excluding sport area) and unspecified education area				73,680	64,620		62,350		57,780		63,530		62,340
Sport education area				119,900	118,430		116,870		107,430		105,490		108,300
Sport area (excluding education area)				103,000	106,810		99,130		90,140		89,540		99,810
Public playground				22,060	22,320		27,310		24,230		24,630		26,770
Parkland/cemetery/gardens				41,330	37,420		40,880		36,050		34,750		35,830
Other location				575,990	503,190		507,490		476,510		446,540		423,590
Note: Figures are estimates based on a sample of 18 hospitals across the UK, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 (so figures may not sum to total). Source: Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System annual reports for 1997 to 2002 (published location categories have been aggregated and sample figures converted to national estimates).

Irlen Syndrome

Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provisions there are for services for children and adults diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome to be provided on the NHS; [143515]

(2) what funding her Department provides for the provision of glasses for people who require glasses as a result of Irlen Syndrome. [143692]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The national health service provides optical vouchers for children and other eligible groups who, following a sight test, have been given a prescription to correct a defect in sight. Optical vouchers can be used to purchase glasses or contact lenses. Parents of children with reading difficulties are encouraged to have an NHS-funded sight test to check that there are no refractive problems or eye disease which may be contributing to the difficulties.

If, after a sight test (and glasses if necessary), difficulties are still being experienced then a wider assessment is called for. The best interests of children are likely to be served by a scheme of assessment and treatment, which takes into account the full range of possible ways of helping children with the symptoms associated with descriptions of Irlen syndrome. This is something that local education and health authorities should take forward in view of their responsibilities for services in their areas.

Kidney Patients: Health Services

Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provision is made for kidney patients requiring regular haemodialysis while away from home on holiday; and if she will make a statement; [142019]

(2) what her Department's policy is on providing access to haemodialysis facilities to kidney patients wishing to holiday away from home; [142020]

(3) if she will increase the number of facilities providing access to haemodialysis for kidney patients who wish to holiday away from home; and if she will make a statement. [142021]

(4) what information is provided to kidney patients who wish to take holidays about access to alternative NHS haemodialysis units. [142022]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The National Service Framework for Renal Services makes clear that the ability to dialyse away from home, for holidays or other reasons, is important to kidney patients. The Department has published guidance on temporary dialysis away from home which has been placed in the Library and is available on the Department's website at:

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicy/AndGuidance/DH.4084218.

The exact manner in which this guidance is implemented is a matter for the national health service.

Learning Disability: Death

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to establish a confidential inquiry into mortality of people with learning difficulties. [144811]

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Mr. Ivan Lewis: At this stage, the Department has no plans to establish a confidential inquiry into mortality of people with learning disabilities.

The Department has established an independent inquiry into the deaths of six people named in Mencap’s report, “Death by Indifference”. In addition to the six cases, the independent inquiry will be identifying the action required to ensure that people with learning disabilities receive appropriate healthcare. The findings and recommendations of that inquiry will be used to inform a decision on whether to take forward a full confidential inquiry into mortality.

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