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24 Apr 2008 : Column 2170W—continued
Macular Degeneration
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports his Department has received on the efficacy of essential fatty acids and lutein in slowing the progress of age-related macular degeneration. [200776]
Ann Keen: The Department has received no reports on the efficacy of essential fatty acids and lutein in slowing the progress of age-related macular degeneration.
Mental Health Services: Greater London
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was allocated to each mental health trust in London by his Department in each year since 1997. [200272]
Mr. Bradshaw: The information requested is not held centrally.
The Department makes revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs), but not to national health service trusts or mental health trusts. It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations.
Commissioners, mainly PCTs, pay NHS trusts to provide services, and the trusts recognise this as income and not as funding.
Multiple Sclerosis
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will appoint a national director for multiple sclerosis; [201285]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effects of the National Service Framework for Long-Term Conditions on the provision of services and staffing for people with multiple sclerosis. [201286]
Ann Keen: We have not assessed the effect of the “National Service Framework (NSF) for long term conditions” on service provision for people with multiple sclerosis. 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.
We have no plans to appoint a national director for multiple sclerosis. National directors oversee the implementation of specific NSFs or major clinical or
service strategies. In line with devolving responsibility to local organisations, we believe that it is more appropriate for local health and social care communities and the third sector to take responsibility for driving forward the service changes and improvements envisaged by the NSF for long- term conditions.
NHS: Finance
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to paragraph 5.33 of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, how much growth funding has been included in each primary care trust's baseline allocations for 2008-09 to enable them to work with local authorities to significantly increase the range and number of short breaks for disabled children; whether this money is ring-fenced; and if he will make a statement. [201347]
Mr. Bradshaw: The 2008-09 primary care trust (PCT) revenue allocations were announced on 13 December 2007. These represent £74.2 billion investment in the national health service, nearly £4 billion more than in 2007-08. All PCTs will receive an above inflation cash increase of 5.5 per cent., a total cash increase of £3.8 billion. The funding for services to support disabled children forms part of this allocation.
It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations. The Department deliberately does not break down PCT allocations into funding for individual policy programmes, as this would constrain local innovation and decision taking. Instead, the approach the Department takes is to be clear about the priorities for the NHS through the Operating Framework. It is then for the NHS to decide how best to achieve those outcomes in the light of local needs and circumstances, including the level of resources to invest.
NHS: Leaflets
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on producing NHS leaflets in languages other than English in 2006-07. [197870]
Mr. Bradshaw: The information is not recorded in the format requested by financial years. National health service publications are produced by the Department as well as by NHS agencies and local organisations and records are not held centrally.
The Department commissioned translation services at a total cost of £180,319.29 in the calendar year 2006 and £141,352.03 in the calendar year 2007. These costs were for publications branded either NHS or Departmental or jointly branded, as well as for the translation of correspondence and guidance. Printing or recording and production costs are not included in these figures.
Nurses: Uniforms
Dr. Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to nurses and other medical staff on wearing uniforms beyond hospital premises; and what assessment his Department has made of the risk of infection arising from nurses and medical staff wearing uniform outside hospitals. [200349]
Ann Keen: The Department has published, ‘Uniforms and Workwear: An evidence base for developing local policy’ (September 2007), which sets out the evidence(1) relating to good and poor practice relating to the wearing of uniforms. The publication states that “there is no conclusive evidence that uniforms pose a significant hazard in terms of spreading infection”. It acknowledges, however, that patient confidence may be undermined if staff are seen travelling in uniform and states that; “it is good practice to change into and out of uniform at work” or “to cover uniform when travelling to and from work”. The publication is intended for use by individual trusts in determining their own policies on the wearing of uniforms in and around the workplace.
(1) An evidence-base developed by Thames Valley University, (authors: JA Wilson, H.P. Loveday, P.N. Hoffman and RJ. Pratt)
Patient Choice Schemes: Costs
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS Choose and Book IT project has cost to date. [200105]
Mr. Bradshaw: Choose and Book is one of the new, linked, IT systems and services which are being delivered by NHS Connecting for Health to help modernise the NHS and to ensure that patients have a clear choice of time, date and place when booking into first outpatient appointments.
Total payments to date relating to the development, delivery and maintenance of the Choose and Book IT system total £98.9 million. This includes £45.1 million for the development and deployment of the core system by the supplier under the original core contract worth £64.5 million over five years. It also includes a further £53.8 million for approved additional services and functionality identified in the contract, the costs of which are within the budget for the original Choose and Book business case.
Patients: Essex
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people in the Mid-Essex Primary Care Trust area were receiving continuing care using Q4 2006-07 and Q3 2007-08 figures to compare the start and the end of the year; and what percentage change the figures represented; [201151]
(2) for what reasons the number of people in the Mid-Essex Primary Care Trust area receiving continuing care fell using the Q4 2006-07 and Q3 2007-08 figures to compare the start and the end of the year. [201163]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Number of people receiving continuing care, Mid-Essex PCT | |
| Period | Number of people receiving continuing care |
| Source: Department of Health Local Delivery Plan Return Commissioner (Revised 23 April 2008) | |
Prescriptions
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether medication reviews undertaken in respect of residents of care homes count towards the general medical services contract quality and outcomes framework performance indicator; [200361]
(2) what the performance of each primary care trust was against the general medical services contract indicator for the undertaking of medication reviews for patients being prescribed four or more repeat medicines in each year for which figures are available. [200362]
Mr. Bradshaw: Medicine review indicators within the quality and outcomes framework include all patients prescribed repeat prescriptions regardless of their living arrangements.
The percentage achievement for the undertaking of medication reviews for patients being prescribed four or more repeat medicines has been placed in the Library.
Psychiatry: Standards
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what timetable has been set for the consultation on defining national occupational standards for the regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists under the Health Professionals Council; and when he expects to be able to introduce those standards. [201461]
Mr. Bradshaw: Discussions on the scope of practice and the national occupational standards for psychotherapists and counsellors are continuing. Once agreement has been reached we will publish proposals on statutory regulation for public consultation.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister on the Prime Minister's response of 11th March to the petition on the national occupational standards for counselling and psychotherapy. [201462]
Mr. Bradshaw: No discussions have taken place. The response to the petition represents the Government's position on the regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists.
Work and Pensions
Housing Benefit
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to publish the equality impact assessment relating to the proposed reduction in backdating facilities for housing benefit; and what account the assessment will take of vulnerable groups. [200103]
Mr. Plaskitt: The equality impact assessment was published on 21 April 2008; a copy has been placed in the Library. It is also available on the Department for Work and Pensions website at:
The assessment considers the potential impact on a range of groups, including the most vulnerable, and proposes steps to mitigate any adverse effects. A publicity campaign will be launched, to raise awareness of the change and to advise tenants to apply for benefit in good time. We will also be working with landlords to encourage them to tackle rent arrears at the earliest possible time as this is often a trigger for a backdating claim.
Mortgages
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to amend the income support for mortgage interest regime. [201300]
Mr. Plaskitt: Although we have no current plans to reform support for mortgage interest, we keep the scheme under review.
Leader of the House
Ministers: Official Residences
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Leader of the House how much was spent on the refurbishment of the Leader of the House’s office in 26 Whitehall following the departure of the former Deputy Prime Minister. [199513]
Helen Goodman: The rooms referred to have been redecorated as part of the lifecycle programme covering the whole of the building (26 Whitehall). Further additional costs specifically relating to the relocation into the building of the Office of the Leader of the House were incurred to a value of £4,379 plus VAT.
Olympics
Olympic Games 2012: Contracts
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Olympics which Welsh companies or organisations have obtained contracts through the Olympic Delivery Authority; what the value of each contract is; and what work is involved in each. [201314]
Tessa Jowell: To date three businesses or organisations registered in Wales have supplied goods and services to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). These are John Evans Photography; Strategy and Solution Limited; and the Office for National Statistics. These contracts were awarded for photography, management consulting services and data processing and preparation. Due to commercial sensitivities I cannot make public the value of each of these contracts, but I can tell you that spend to date with them is £5,053.
In January, the Olympic Family launched the London 2012 Business Network, helping businesses across the country to access and compete for 2012 related contracts. Over 200 Welsh companies have registered for the CompeteFor service, and businesses in every constituency should be encouraged to sign up and get support. The ODA will be visiting Cardiff in
May 2008 to speak to Welsh businesses about the opportunities generated by the Games.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Olympics which contracts have been let by the Olympic Delivery Authority; and what (a) value and (b) percentage of contracts have been let to companies based in (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland. [201315]
Tessa Jowell: The Olympic Delivery Authority will directly procure over 2,000 contracts; these are expected to generate 50,000 supply chain opportunities. At this early stage, 600 contracts have been awarded. The percentage shares are as follows:
| Percentage share | |
The London 2012 website provides information about contracts awarded by sector. The value of these contracts is in excess of £1 billion.
In January, the Olympic Family launched the London 2012 Business Network, helping businesses across the country to access and compete for 2012 related contracts. Businesses in every constituency should be encouraged to sign up and get support. To this end ODA have a programme of business engagement covering all of the UK's nations and regions. Events took place in Northern Ireland in November, in Scotland in February, and will take place in Wales in May.
In addition to these direct opportunities flowing from London 2012 procurement, there are of course wider opportunities for the nations and regions to benefit economically from the Games. These include a potential £2.1 billion boost to the UK's tourism industry and volunteering opportunities which can help drive up skills levels and improve employability. Over 600 top class sporting facilities from across the UK will appear in the London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camps Guide to be launched this summer, with 31 in Wales alone. These have the potential to attract top athletes from around the world bringing a range of sporting and business opportunities, including inward investment. In addition, UK Trade and Investment are developing programmes to use the Games as a springboard for export.
Prime Minister
Tibet
Jo Swinson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 19 March 2008, Official Report, column 915, on Tibet, what plans he has to report to the House following his proposed meeting with the Dalai Lama. [201359]
The Prime Minister: My meetings will be reported in the usual way.
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