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7 Jan 2010 : Column 608W—continued
Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust: Waiting Lists
Mr. Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for (a) an in-patient and (b) an out-patient in the Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust was in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available. [308656]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The information is not available in the format requested. The following table shows the median in-patient waiting time for elective admission patients still waiting in all specialties for the time period 1997-2009 for commissioner organisations in the central Lancashire area.
| Organisation | Waiting time (weeks) |
| Notes: 1. Figures are shown for organisations that existed at the time 2. In-patient waiting times are measured from decision to admit by the consultant to admission to hospital. 3. The figures show the median waiting times for patients still waiting for admission at the end of the period stated. 4. Median waiting times are calculated from aggregate data, rather than patient level data, and therefore are only estimates of the position on average waits. 5. In particular, specialties with low numbers waiting are prone to fluctuations in the median. This should be taken into account when interpreting the data. Source: Department of Health waiting list collections QF01 and MMRCOM | |
The following table shows the median out-patient waiting time for a first out-patient appointment for patients seen in the year in all specialties for the time period 1997-2007 for commissioner organisations in the central Lancashire area.
| Organisation | Waiting time (weeks) |
The following table shows the median out-patient waiting time for a first out-patient appointment for patients still waiting at the period end in all specialties for the time period 2005-09 for commissioner organisations in the central Lancashire area.
| Organisation | Waiting time (weeks) |
| Notes: 1. Figures are shown for organisations that existed at the time. 2. Out-patient waiting times are measured from referral by the GP to first out-patient appointment to the consultant. 3. From 1997-98 all time bands for out-patients seen were first collected so only average waiting first out-patient times can be made from this point in time. 4. The out-patient seen figures relate to the average wait for patients seen during the whole of each year except for 2007-08 where figures relate to quarters 1 and 2 combined. 5. The last time these data were collected for each specialty was for period ending September 2007. 6. From 2004-05 all time bands for out-patients not seen were first collected so only average waiting first out-patient times on a waiting basis can be made from this point in time. 7. Median waiting times are calculated from aggregate data, rather than patient level data, and therefore are only estimates of the position on average waits. 8. In particular, specialties with low numbers waiting are prone to fluctuations in the median. This should be taken into account when interpreting the data. 9. Historically, since 1997, we collected out-patient waiting times based on numbers seen during the quarter (the QM08 return). In addition, we collected data on a 'still waiting' basis in our monthly return alongside our in-patient waiting times figures. However, unlike the in-patient figures, we did not collect the full waiting list on out-patients, just the long waiters. Therefore, it was not possible to calculate the average wait on this basis. 10. Since 2004-05, we collected the full out-patient waiting list, hence we could start calculating average waits on the same basis as in-patients from this date. We have since phased out the out-patient 'seen' collection, so we now can only use the 'still waiting' or 'not seen' figures. 11. The result of this is that average waits appear lower on the 'still waiting' basis simply because this is collected as a snapshot of patients waiting time at the end of the month before they have been seen. Therefore, the averages appear lower, but we have provided both sets so that users can see the effect and trend. Source: Department of Health waiting list collections QM08R and MMRCOM | |
Community Health Services: Medical Equipment
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what (a) research and (b) consultation his Department undertook before instructing local authorities to become the accrediting bodies for the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchairs Services retail model; and how many retailers have registered with local authorities for the purpose of providing such services; [309283]
(2) how many retailers have registered with the Community Equipment Dispensing Accreditation Board; [309284]
(3) how many organisations are using prescriptions for wheelchairs under the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchairs Services retail model. [309285]
Phil Hope: The Department has carried out a review of the developing retail marketplace and obtained feedback from the five local authorities and health partners who implemented a retail model by April 2009. Results show that most authorities prefer to undertake accreditation and monitoring of retailers within their localities using existing supplier vetting procedures. The Department does not collect information on how many retailers have registered with local authorities for the purpose of providing equipment.
The Department has not collected information on the number of retailers who may have received accreditation through the Community Equipment Dispensing Accreditation Board, and the Department did not renew its endorsement of national accreditation after 30 September 2009.
The prescription within the retail model has been designed for simple community equipment aids to daily living and does not include a delivery model for wheelchair services.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many equipment stores have been decommissioned as a result of the implementation of the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchairs Services retail model; and what model is in place to provide the complex aids to daily living in areas in which such equipment stores have been decommissioned; [309286]
(2) how many organisations have been using the retail model since his Department's (a) stakeholder events and (b) endorsement of the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchairs Services retail model; whether those organisations are using that model for simple aids to daily living alone; and how much has been paid to management consultants for work for those organisations. [309287]
Phil Hope: The Department does not collect information on the decommissioning of local equipment stores. Decommissioning equipment stores is a decision for local authorities and their health partners to take based on their individual business cases.
For the provision of complex aids, the Department has developed a methodology, tools and materials to assist and support local authorities and their health partners.
Since ministerial endorsement of the wider implementation of the retail model in June 2008, the model is live in seven local authority and health partnerships where prescriptions are being issued for simple equipment. There are also nine local authority and health partners on track to start issuing prescriptions by the end of March 2010 and a further 14 who have contacted the national programme for support to implement the retail model.
The Care Services Efficiency Delivery, on behalf of the London Joint Improvement Partnership, successfully bid to Capital Ambition, the London Regional Improvement and Efficiency Programme, for £1.93 million to accelerate the implementation of the retail model for simple aids across London within two years. The first wave of five sites have started their projects and it takes each locality between nine and 12 months from taking the decision to completing the implementation of the new model for simple aids to daily living. Sites will start to consider their complex equipment solution during months three to nine of their simple aids to daily living project. Currently there are three "clusters" of organisations developing in London, the North West and South West, who wish to work together to design more efficient complex equipment solutions.
The Department does not collect information on how much has been paid to management consultants for work for those organisations.
Continuing Care: Expenditure
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of continuing healthcare has been in each primary care trust in each of the last three years. [309313]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Information on the cost of providing NHS-funded continuing healthcare in each primary care trust is not collected centrally.
Dental Services: Aluminium
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment has been made of the extent of use of yellow-coloured copper aluminium alloy in place of dental gold in dental treatments; [308145]
(2) how many patients are estimated to have had yellow-coloured copper aluminium alloy fitted instead of dental gold in dental treatment without being informed of the material being used; and if he will make a statement. [308146]
Ann Keen: Information is not held centrally on which we could base these assessments. The use of this alloy is not permitted in the manufacture of dental appliances prescribed for national health service patients under schedule 3 (a) of the NHS (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005. From April 2008 dentists have been required to provide information on the range of dental appliances they prescribe for NHS patients. If this suggests that there are abuses of the regulations, we will consult the NHS Counter Fraud Service on how to improve compliance.
Departmental Legislation
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criminal offences have been (a) created and (b) abolished by secondary legislation sponsored by his Department since 1 May 2008. [307798]
Ann Keen: The criminal offences created by secondary legislation (a total of four statutory instruments) since 1 May 2008 are as follows:
Regulation 6 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Registration of Regulated Activities) Regulations 2009
(S.I. 2009/660) made it a criminal offence for a person registered as a service provider to contravene or fail to comply with the provisions of regulation 5 of those regulations which set out requirements which a service provider has to meet in relation to the prevention and control of health care associated infections. This came into force on 1 April 2009.
Regulation 25 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3112) makes it a criminal offence for a person to contravene or fail to comply with the provisions of these regulations which set out requirements which registered persons are required to meet in carrying out regulated activities. This will come into force on 1 April 2010.
The Medical Devices (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2936) implement directive 2007/47/EC on general medical devices and directive 90/385/EEC on active implantable devices. These will come into force on 21 March 2010. They amend the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/618) by adding additional requirements, each of which is punishable as a criminal offence, if not complied with. For general medical devices:
A new regulation 8(3) of the Active Implantable Medical Devices Regulations 1992 is created, under which where a hazard exists, devices which are also machinery must also meet the essential health and safety requirements set out in annex I to directive 2006/42 to the extent to which those essential health and safety requirements are more specific than the essential requirements to directive 93/42;
Regulation 9 is amended, so that when a custom-made device is supplied to a patient, the health care professional who writes the prescription for the custom-made device must, in relation to each patient that they supply with such a device, (a) ensure that the patient is aware that they may request the statement containing the information required by sections 1 and 2 of annex VIII; and (b) ensure that the statement containing the information required by sections 1 and 2 of annex VIII is made available to the patient on request;
Regulation 14 is amended so that where a device is intended by the manufacturer to be used in conjunction with both the provisions in council directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation or the laws of the member states relating to personal protective equipment and directive 93/42, the relevant basic health and safety requirements of that directive must also be fulfilled;
Regulation 16 is amended, requiring the manufacturer, or their single authorised representative, to (a) notify the Secretary of State of the end of the clinical investigation; and (b) provide justification where premature termination has resulted.
Similar amendments are made to the provisions of the Active Implantable Medical Devices Regulations 1992 which deal with active implantable devices:
Regulation 30 is amended so that the manufacturer of an active implantable device, who under their own name places devices on the market, must provide the Secretary of State with (a) the address of their registered place of business; (b) a description of the devices concerned; and (c) details of the label and instructions for use that accompany each device. Where they do not have a registered place of business in a member state, the manufacturer must (a) designate a single authorised representative; and (b) ensure that the authorised representative has a registered place of business in a member state.
The Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/3097) amend the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisation Etc.) Regulations (SI 1994/3144) so as to give effect to Regulation (EC) No. 1901/2006 on medicinal products for paediatric use, which establishes
a scheme of obligations and incentives to encourage the development of, and improve access to, medicines for children. These came into force on 29 December 2008. They amend the 1994 regulations by imposing several additional requirements, each of which is punishable as a criminal offence:
An authorisation holder must submit an annual report to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) as required by article 34(4) of the paediatric regulation;
A new paragraph 6BA is added, so that where the holder of a United Kingdom marketing authorisation has benefited from rewards or incentives under articles 36, 37 or 38 of the paediatric regulation in relation to the product to which the authorisation relates and the periods of protection provided pursuant to those articles have expired, he shall be guilty of an offence if he discontinues the placing of that product on the market without previously, in compliance with article 35 of the paediatric regulation (a) transferring the marketing authorisation of that product to another person who has declared his intention to continue to place that product on the market, or (b) allowing use by such a person of the pharmaceutical, pre-clinical and clinical documentation contained in the file on that product on the basis of article 10c of the directive 2001/83/EC;
A new paragraph 6BB is added, so that where the holder of a United Kingdom marketing authorisation has benefited from rewards or incentives under articles 36, 37 or 38 of the paediatric regulation in relation to the product to which the authorisation relates, and the periods of protection provided pursuant to those articles have expired, he shall be guilty of an offence if he discontinues the placing of that product on the market without informing the EMEA in compliance with article 35 of the paediatric regulation, at least six months before the discontinuation of his intention to discontinue the placing of the product on the market;
A new paragraph 6G is added, so that where any person who (a) is the holder of a United Kingdom marketing authorisation (b) obtains a paediatric indication in respect of the product to which the marketing authorisation relates following completion of an agreed paediatric investigation plan, (c) has marketed that product for other indications prior to obtaining that paediatric indication and (d) fails to place the product on the market taking account of the paediatric indication within two years of the date on which the paediatric indication is authorised as required by article 33 of the paediatric regulation, he shall be guilty of an offence;
A new paragraph 13B(1) is added, so that any person established in the United Kingdom to whom a decision by the EMEA in respect of a paediatric investigation plan is addressed shall be guilty of an offence if the plan relates to a product which does not have a Community marketing authorisation and the person fails to (a) enter into the database referred to in article 11 of the clinical trials directive within a period of six months beginning with the date that the decision was received, the details set out in that article in relation to clinical trials referred to in the paediatric investigation plan and carried out in third countries as required by article 41(1) of the paediatric regulation; or (b) submit the results of those clinical trials to the EMEA within a period of six months beginning with the date that the trial ended as required by article 41(2) of the paediatric regulation;
A new paragraph 13B(2) is added, so that where the holder of a United Kingdom marketing authorisation instigates or conducts a paediatric clinical trial in the United Kingdom in respect of the product to which the authorisation relates and the trial is not included in a paediatric investigation plan, he shall be guilty of an offence if he fails to submit the results of that trial to the EMEA within a period of six months beginning with the date that the trial ended, as required by article 41(2) of the paediatric regulation;
A new paragraph 13B(3) is added, so that where the holder of a United Kingdom marketing authorisation has instigated or conducted a paediatric clinical trial in the United Kingdom which ended on or after 26 January 2007 but before 29 December 2008 in respect of the product to which the authorisation
relates and the trial is not included in a paediatric investigation plan, he shall be guilty of an offence if he fails to submit the results of that trial to the EMEA on or before 29 June 2009, as required by article 41(2) of the paediatric regulation;
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