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16 Dec 2008 : Column 694W—continued
The following information needs to be taken into account when interpreting these data.
In 2006-07 there was a SHA configuration change, where 28 SHAs merged into 10. Data for 2006-07 are based on the new configuration.
There is a large increase in episodes between 2005-06 and 2006-07. The Information Centre have studied this and believe it to be due to the change/increase in OPCS-4 coding classifications. In previous years procedures may have been coded under an ‘unknown’ or ‘other’ code and therefore would not have been included in the count. However, some extra codes have been introduced in OPCS-4.3 these procedures would now be coded under their named field and be included within the count.
The number of FCEs does not represent the number of patients as a patient may have more than one episode within a year.
The NHS Information Centre have broken down information by SHA only.
Prescriptions
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance is provided to healthcare professionals to prevent prescribing and dispensing errors in relation to immunosuppressant therapies; [241501]
(2) how many (a) prescribing and (b) dispensing errors of immunosuppressant therapies have been recorded in each of the last five years; if he will place in the Library a copy of the records; and if he will make a statement. [241550]
Ann Keen: There were 1,015 patient safety incidents relating to prescription, preparation and administration of immunosuppressant medication were submitted to the National Patient Safety Agency's (NPSA) Reporting and Learning System (RLS) between November 2003 and the beginning of December 2008. The search of RLS was structured to include a number of named immunosuppressant medicines.
There were 786 of the incidents submitted and were reported to have resulted in no harm, 180 in low harm, 48 in moderate harm and one in severe harm. The following table provides a breakdown of the reported category of error:
Prostate Cancer
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prostate cancer patients there were whose cancer went into remission following National Health Service treatment in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003, (d) 2004, (e) 2005, (f) 2006 and (g) 2007. [243168]
Ann Keen: This information is not available centrally. However, latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics on 10 December 2008 show that 78 per cent. of men (aged 15-99) diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000-04 survived five years.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the treatments available to prostate cancer patients on the National Health Service. [243169]
Ann Keen: In February 2008, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a clinical guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This guideline sets out recommendations on a number of treatment options for prostate cancer.
The guideline can be found on the NICE website at:
Rampton Hospital
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the patient capacity of the National High Secure Healthcare Service for Women at Rampton Hospital is; and how many patients were placed there on the latest date for which figures are available. [241348]
Phil Hope: The current capacity for the National High Secure Service for Women at Rampton Hospital is 50. There were 45 patients in the service on 4 December 2008.
Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust
Mr. McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will initiate an investigation into Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust's sale of public land and property in Epsom. [244558]
Mr. Bradshaw:
National health service foundation trusts have the freedom to sell land and buildings subject to provisions in legislation. Therefore, this is a matter for Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust. We
have written to Graham Cawsey, Chair of the organisation, informing him of the hon. Member's inquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library. Any concerns thereafter may also be directed to the chair of Monitor (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts).
Tuberculosis
Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to reduce rates of tuberculosis amongst (a) the homeless, (b) problem drug users and (c) prisoners in (i) London and (ii) outside London; and what steps he intends to take over the next three years. [243099]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department launched a national tuberculosis (TB) toolkit in June 2007 to support commissioning of TB services best suited to local needs, and recommended that TB services follow the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on tuberculosis. The NICE guidelines make specific recommendations about active screening for TB among homeless people and prisoners and to ensure that people working with these groups have high awareness of the risk and symptoms of TB.
London TB services are funded by the Department to run a pilot study using a mobile X-ray unit (MXU) to screen homeless hostels and prisons. Evaluation of the pilot showed the MXU to be an effective case-finding tool among these populations. In addition, since October 2007, the Department has funded Find & Treat, a small multidisciplinary team of tuberculosis nurse specialists, social and outreach workers, to provide practical support and advice to TB services across London for around 300 patients with complex and challenging needs. Support includes: locating and re-engaging patients who have been lost to follow-up care; providing links between prison health and the MXU to NHS tuberculosis services; organising case conferences and directly observed therapy (DOT) partnerships and engaging relevant allied support services in the community to help patients complete treatment.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) runs the National Knowledge Service for TB, which provides information resources including cartoon leaflets for prisoners and material targeted at staff working with the homeless, prisoners and problem drug users. Evaluation shows that these have been well received.
The HPA collects data nationally to monitor rates of tuberculosis among the homeless, prisoners and problem drug users, because it recognises the high rates of disease in these populations.
The HPA is undertaking a programme of research, in collaboration with University College London and the Royal Free NHS Trust, to provide the evidence base for interventions to control TB among the homeless, prisoners and problem drug users.
All these initiatives will inform future policy on tackling TB in these groups.
Unborn Children
Mr. Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) evaluated on the (i) earliest stage in its development
at which an unborn child can experience pain, (ii) the earliest gestational age at which an unborn child may be born alive, (iii) the number of occasions on which an unborn baby has been diagnosed as being disabled and has subsequently been born without disability and (iv) the suicide rate among women who have had an abortion in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [242685]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department has commissioned the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist’s to review its 1997 report on foetal awareness which includes the consideration of all relevant evidence and new research in the area of foetal awareness including foetal pain.
The Department considered all of the scientific and medical evidence on foetal viability submitted to the Science and Technology Committee in their review of scientific developments since the Abortion Act 1967.
The Department also provides funding to national health service organisations to meet the service support costs associated with Medical Research Council (MRC) funded research. The MRC has funded, and continues to fund, studies on embryonic and foetal awareness and foetal development.
We do not collect data on the number of babies diagnosed as being disabled which are subsequently born without disability.
Three women have committed suicide following a termination of pregnancy in the last nine years but there are insufficient details to establish if the termination was the cause of the suicide.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his Department's policy is on (a) abortion, (b) assisted suicide and (c) embryonic stem cell research; which organisations and individuals he has consulted on each policy during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement; [242686]
(2) if he will make it his policy to oppose (a) assisted suicide and (b) voluntary euthanasia; and if he will make a statement. [242697]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department's policy is governed by:
the Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; and
the Suicide Act 1961 (assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia).The Government have no plans to change this legislation. Any proposals to change the law would be dealt with as a matter of conscience.
The Government continue to support ethically approved research using all sources of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells as permitted under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.
No organisations or individuals have been consulted on these policies in the last 12 months.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Departmental Air Travel
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East of 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 184W, on departmental air travel, how many
members of his Department have taken advantage of the policy on travelling in a cheaper class and using the difference for additional free personal air travel in the last 12 months. [241681]
Gillian Merron: No central record is kept and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure is monitored locally at each overseas mission and is subject to audit checks.
Departmental Disabled Staff
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conclusions his Department has reached in fulfilment of its duty under section 3.111 of the statutory code of practice of the disability equality duty. [240984]
Gillian Merron: A substantial programme of work is being implemented following the review carried out by the former Disability Rights Commission (2007). The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Diversity Report 2007 (published March 2008) summarised our achievements for disability equality and the targets set for 2008. The next annual report of progress is due for publication March 2009 and we will share the impact of particular policies/services on our disabled customers (including staff) and how we used this to inform and improve outcome for this equality target group.
Departmental Official Hospitality
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records his Department maintains of its expenditure on (a) official hospitality and (b) alcohol for official hospitality. [240471]
Gillian Merron: Protocol Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) maintains records of all expenditure on official hospitality by Government Hospitality. Government Hospitality is responsible for the organisation of official ministerial hospitality for all Government Departments and for the management of the Government wine cellar. The FCO does not maintain a central record of other hospitality expenditure, although all staff are bound by official guidance which ensures that the provision of food and beverages at public expense is appropriate and cost-effective.
Departmental Temporary Employment
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 881W, on departmental temporary employment, how many staff were recruited through each company in each year; and for how long on average staff recruited through these companies worked for the Department in each year. [242103]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not maintain central records of the value or length of individual contracts for temporary employment between its directorates and individual companies. These figures can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Falkland Islands: Air Routes
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received on the proposed pricing scheme for the Falkland Islands Airbridge under the provisions of the Joint Policy Statement agreed between his Department and the Ministry of Defence. [240778]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence have yet to agree the new Joint Policy Statement on the South Atlantic Airbridge. I have relayed the Falklands Islands Government’s suggested alternative pricing arrangements to the Minister for the armed forces. I look forward to resolving this issue so that the negotiations can be concluded.
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations were carried out by his Department on the proposed pricing scheme for the Falkland Islands Airbridge under the provisions of the Joint Policy Statement agreed between his Department and the Ministry of Defence; and if he will make a statement. [240779]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence have yet to agree the new Joint Policy Statement on the South Atlantic Airbridge. The FCO has consulted fully with the governments of the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island and St. Helena, plus the Department for International Development, as part of these negotiations, and ensure that they have been able to participate in the negotiations.
Forced Marriage
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding has been allocated to public information campaigns to increase awareness about access to assistance for suspected victims of forced marriage in 2008-09. [241225]
Gillian Merron: So far this year the Forced Marriage Unit has either allocated or spent £25,237 on developing awareness raising materials. These include work with the Department for Children, Schools, and Families to develop new materials for schools, development of bilingual posters in Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, Kurdish and Arabic and development of materials for a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender audience.
Our high commission in Islamabad has allocated a further £25,000, including awareness raising at airports and on airlines as well as projects targeting the Mirpur region, where most of our cases originate. Our high commission in Dhaka has also allocated £22,600 for a publicity campaign to raise awareness of forced marriage in Bangladesh.
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