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31 Mar 2008 : Column 576W—continued
Chemicals: Health Hazards
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the (i) neurotoxic, (ii) genotoxic, (iii) mutagenic and (iv) carcinogenic effects of long-term exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls on (A) human foetuses, (B) young children and (C) adults. [196776]
Dawn Primarolo: The World Health Organisation International Programme on Chemical Safety, with funding from the Department, has recently reviewed the data on the toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls in their Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents Series. This is available at:
Human studies have identified associations between exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl mixtures and adverse reproductive effects (effects on sperm motility, foetal growth rate and development and neurological function in the offspring), and cancer. However, the human studies are restricted by limited exposure data, inconsistency among some results, and the presence of confounding factors; these make it impossible to use them as a basis for risk estimations and thus cannot be assessed.
Data from animal and related experiments indicate that polychlorinated biphenyls do not have any significant mutagenic or genotoxic properties but they are carcinogenic. Neurodevelopmental effects have been observed in several animal species after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls.
Coeliac Disease: Food
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances' process is for reviewing the quality, range and availability of gluten-free food products on prescription for people with coeliac disease; [197760]
(2) which commercial and patient groups the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) has consulted in the last six months; and when the ACBS next plans to meet such groups to discuss the provision of gluten-free food on prescription for people with coeliac disease. [197761]
Dawn Primarolo: It is not within the remit of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) to review the quality, range and availability of gluten-free food products on prescription for people with coeliac disease, or to meet with stakeholders to discuss the provision of gluten-free food on prescription for people with coeliac disease.
The ACBS's primary function is to advise general practitioners on the circumstances in which it would be reasonable to prescribe particular non-medicinal products—mainly foods such as enteral feeds and foods specially formulated for use by people with given medical conditions.
The ACBS have not met or consulted any commercial or patient groups over the last six months. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency and the Department, however, have been in discussions with
the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association in conjunction with a review currently taking place of the ACBS and its activities.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the provision of gluten-free food in hospital for people with coeliac disease; and if he will make a statement. [197772]
Ann Keen: As set out in Standards for Better Health (Core Standard C15(b)), patients' individual nutritional, personal and clinical dietary requirements should be met. Copies of the publication are available in the Library.
Patients who follow a gluten-free diet should be treated in exactly the same way as any other patient who—whether for clinical, religious or cultural reasons—requires a special diet. The way these needs are identified and met is a matter for local resolution.
However, effective admission or pre-admission procedures should ensure appropriate food can be provided as quickly as possible.
Dental Services: Greater London
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in (a) Bexley and (b) London are not accepting new NHS patients. [194153]
Ann Keen: Information on the number of dentists accepting new national health service patients is not collected centrally.
Departmental Pay
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the 24-hour overnight allowance for civil servants working for his Department and based in Leeds is when working in London. [197342]
Mr. Bradshaw: Accommodation in a hotel or guesthouse is usually booked through the Department's travel agent (Expotel). The normal rate for a hotel room under the contract is £95.00 for London. In addition, a meal allowance of up to £22.50 can be claimed for each full 24 hours.
All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code.
Disabled: Children
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been allocated to primary care trusts for services (a) to meet the needs of disabled children and their families and (b) to meet the additional needs of children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [196663]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 March 2008, Official Report, column 2393W.
Headaches
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the percentage of the population that experience regular and severe migraine and other headache-related disorders; [194203]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of headache disorders on absenteeism in the NHS; [194204]
(3) what assessment he has made of the provision of NHS services for those who experience regular and severe headache disorders; [194205]
(4) how many specialist headache clinics there are. [194207]
Ann Keen: We have made no estimate of the percentage of the population who experience regular and severe migraine and headaches.
No assessment has been made of the effect of headache disorders on the national health service.
No assessment has been made of the provision of NHS services for those living with regular and severe headache disorders. The provision of services to meet the needs of those living with migraine and headaches is specifically covered by the National Service Framework (NSF) for Long-term Conditions. The NSF has a 10-year implementation programme from its publication in March 2005, with flexibility for organisations to set the pace of change locally to take account of local priorities and needs. A copy of the NSF is available in the Library.
Information on the number of specialist headache clinics is not collected.
Headaches: Health Services
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many headache (a) medical and (b) nursing specialists operate within the NHS. [194206]
Ann Keen: Medical and nursing staff working in the national health service who specialise in treating or diagnosing headaches are not identified in the NHS Workforce Census. There are a variety of causes of a headache and if a cause can be identified then the care of the patient will follow the appropriate clinical pathway.
In April 2003 the College of General Practitioners and the Department issued joint guidance “Guidelines for the Appointment of General Practitioners With Special Interests in the Delivery of Clinical Service—Headaches”. This guidance has been placed in the Library.
Health Services: Expenditure
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of (a) his Department’s and (b) NHS expenditure central budgets held at (i) his Department and (ii) strategic health authorities have represented in each of the last five financial years. [191455]
Mr. Bradshaw:
The following table details the level of centrally controlled expenditure as a proportion of
total national health service revenue expenditure over the past five years.
| Total NHS revenue( 1) | Funding not allocated as part of Revenue Allocations( 2) | ‘NHS bundle’ funding under direct control of strategic health authority (SHA)( 3) | Departmental centrally controlled funding | |||
| £ billion | £ billion | £ billion | Percentage | £ billion | Percentage | |
| n/a = Not applicable (1) 2003-04 to 2006-07 figures are outturn (the actual year end position), 2007-08 is the estimated outturn position. (2 )This funding is the residual centrally controlled funding after excluding the allocations to primary care trusts that were announced for 2003-04 to 2005-06 on 18 December 2002, and for 2006-07 and 2007-08 on 9 February 2005. (3) As part of the central budget setting for 2006-07 a strategic decision was to taken to transfer responsibility for a significant proportion of central budgets to the SHAs. This would allow them to be set at levels better aligned to meet local needs. | ||||||
Health Services: Havering
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the level of health service provision in the London Borough of Havering. [196668]
Mr. Bradshaw: No assessment has been made of the level of health service provision in the London borough of Havering. It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) to commission health services for their local population based on an assessment of local need. The hon. Member may therefore wish to raise this with the chief executive of Havering PCT.
Health Services: Immigration
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to which (a) bodies and (b) individuals his Department has issued guidance on the effect of management of applications from non-EEA nationals based on their immigration status. [196516]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department has issued guidance to its Executive agencies (human resources (HR) managers in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency) and within the Department to the HR director, HR managers, HR operational teams, the learning and development team, the procurement team (who engage suppliers and contractors) and the peripheral workforce team (working to manage and improve the use of contractors and agency staff).
Health Services: South Yorkshire
Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the targets for the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions in Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency. [194434]
Ann Keen: It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs), including Barnsley PCT, within the national health service to develop locally the levels of service described in the National Service Framework for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions (the NSF). The NSF has a 10-year implementation programme from its publication in March 2005, with flexibility for organisations to set the pace of change locally to take account of differences in local priorities and needs. A copy of the NSF is available in the Library.
Information on the progress that has been achieved locally with regard to the implementation of the targets set out in the NSF can be obtained direct from Barnsley PCT.
Health Visitors
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the likely effects on increased recruitment of midwives on the (a) training, (b) recruitment and (c) retention of health visitors; [194321]
(2) if he will take steps to recruit more health visitors to provide support through the pre-school stage of children's lives; [194322]
(3) what steps his Department is taking to change the number of training places for health visitors available (a) this year and (b) in the next three years. [194329]
Ann Keen: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made a commitment to recruit more specialist nurses and health visitors to tackle public health issues in deprived communities.
It is the responsibility of local organisations to commission and develop services to respond to local needs, including the recruitment of health visitors and midwives. The Operating Framework for 2008-09 highlights the importance of maternity and children's services and the need for local organisations to commission and provide the necessary services and work force.
Hidradenitis Suppurative
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in improving the treatment of hidradenitis suppurative; and if he will make a statement. [194745]
Ann Keen: No assessment has been made.
Home Births
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many home births there were in each of the last 10 years. [197338]
Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 31 March 2008:
As the National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question about how many home births there have been in each of the last 10 years. (197338)
The latest year for which figures are available is 2006. The table below shows the number of women who gave birth at home in England and Wales in the years 1997-2006.
| Number of women who gave birth at home, England and Wales , 1997 to 2006 | |
| Number | |
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