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1 Dec 2010 : Column 887W—continued
Abortion: Marriage
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of women who had an abortion in 2009 were married at the time of the abortion; what the modal (a) age of the women, (b) length gestation of the pregnancy, (c) number of previous children born to the women and (d) number of previous abortions undergone by the women was; and what the most common legal grounds was under which such abortions were performed. [26413]
Anne Milton: The information requested can be found in the following table.
| Most likely( 1) conditions for married women( 2) having abortions in 2009, residents of England and Wales | ||||||
| Total abortions to married women | Age | Gestation weeks | Number of previous children | Number of previous abortions | Ground | |
| (1 )Statistical mode (highest frequency). (2) Includes civil partnership. (3) 15% of total abortions. Note: Ground C: that the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk: greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman. | ||||||
Accident and Emergency Departments
Mr Evennett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated in the accident and emergency department in (a) Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup (b) Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and
(c) Princess Royal Hospital, Farnborough in each of the last five years. [26266]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not collected in the format requested. The information that is available is shown in the following table.
| Attendances at accident and emergency departments, 2005-06 to 2009-10 | |||||
| First attendances | |||||
| Org name | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| Notes: 1. Data is provided by NHS Trust. 2. Data provided are first attendances at the trusts A&E departments. Source: Department of Health form Quarterly Monitoring of Accident and Emergency | |||||
Barnet General Hospital: Private Finance Initiative
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the running costs of Barnet General Hospital was paid to the private finance initiative provider in each year from 2005 to 2009; and if he will estimate the proportion to be paid to the private finance initiative provider in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011. [26643]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in the format requested. However, data for net operating expenses for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals National Health Service Trust in respect of its private finance initiative (PFI) scheme are set out in the following table.
Data are not held centrally for 2010-11 or 2011-12.
| Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust: Proportion of total operating expenses relating to PFI | |
| Percentage of total revenue expenditure relating to PFI | |
| Notes: 1. The source of the data is the audited summarisation schedules of the trust for 2005-06 to 2009-10. 2. The percentages provided represent the net operating expenses in respect of PFI schemes as a proportion of total operating expenses. 3. 2005-06 to 2008-09 figures compiled under UK generally accepted accounting practice. 4. 2009-10 accounts were compiled under international finance reporting standards. | |
Basophobia: NHS
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what treatments for basophobia are available on the NHS; whether he expects new treatments to be available in the next two years; and if he will make a statement; [26493]
(2) what steps his Department has taken to increase the standard of healthcare for people diagnosed with basophobia since 1990; and if he will make a statement; [26494]
(3) whether he has made an estimate of the number of (a) men and (b) women in each age group in each health authority area who were diagnosed with basophobia in each of the last three years; [26495]
(4) whether his Department has commissioned research into (a) basophobia and (b) conditions related to basophobia in the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [26496]
(5) whether his Department has commissioned research into the (a) causes and (b) prevention of basophobia since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [26497]
Paul Burstow: Basophobia, a fear of falling, is one of a large number of specific phobias that generally respond well to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) although it is important that physical health issues that might make someone more likely to fall, such as low blood pressure, are checked out before psychological treatment is started. CBT is now increasingly available on the national health service as a result of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme which began in 2008 and is about half-way through its nationwide roll-out. The Chancellor announced further funding in the spending review to complete this roll-out by 2014-15. These local psychological therapies services, which are delivered in primary care, are ideal for patients with specific phobias like basophobia because of the ease with which therapists can link with the patient's general practitioner.
With regard to research into the condition, the usual practice of the Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available.
British Medical Association: Competition
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the (a) British Medical Association, (b) Royal College of Nursing and (c) Royal Colleges on competition in the provision of health services. [26533]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department received over 6000 responses to the White Paper consultation and these are being considered carefully. The Government's response will be published in due course.
The British Medical Association, Royal College of Nursing and other Royal Colleges responded to Government's consultation document: "Liberating the NHS: Regulating healthcare providers". A copy of the consultation document has already been placed in the Library.
Details of their responses to consultation can be found at:
Royal College of General Practitioners:
Royal College of Psychiatrists:
Cancer: Waiting Lists
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the average waiting time to see a cancer specialist in each year of the comprehensive spending review period; [26526]
(2) what the average waiting time to see a cancer specialist was in each primary care trust area in England in the latest period for which figures are available. [26527]
Paul Burstow: The Department has made no projections of performance for the all cancer two week wait and does not hold information on average waiting times for these services. In the most recent period for which statistics are available (Quarter 1 2010-11) 95.5% of patients urgently referred with suspected cancer by their general practitioner (GP) were seen within two weeks.
Statistics on average waiting times for cancer services are not collected centrally. However, primary care trust (PCT) based performance statistics for the all cancer two week wait were published for the first time in September this year and can be found at the following link:
The most recent statistics available are for the year 2009-10 and show that between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010 94.9% of patients urgently referred by their GP with suspected cancer were first seen by a specialist within two weeks. Information on the number of patients urgently referred by their GP with suspected cancer who were first seen by a specialist within two weeks, broken down by PCT in England, has been placed in the Library.
Cataracts: Surgery
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to widen choice for patients undergoing cataract surgery in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [26281]
Mr Simon Burns: We are committed to extending choice for all national health service patients and service users, including those who are referred for elective care such as cataract treatment. We are currently consulting on proposals for giving patients and service users greater choice and control over their care and we will publish our response along with more detailed policy proposals early next year.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department made an estimate of the effect on the number of (a) emergency hospital admissions and (b) inpatient bed days of increasing the rate of early diagnosis for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [26125]
Mr Simon Burns: The consultation on a strategy for services for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, published earlier this year, included publication of an impact assessment which included estimates of the impact of the strategy as a whole on the numbers and costs of emergency hospital admissions. No explicit estimates were made relating to in-patient bed days, or to the specific impact of improving the rate of early diagnosis of the disease. The consultation documents have already been placed in the Library, and can be found on the Department's website at:
Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the stage of disease at which chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is most frequently diagnosed; and whether his Department holds information for benchmarking purposes on the diagnosis of that disease in other EU member states. [26128]
Mr Simon Burns: The information the Department holds on the stage at which chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is diagnosed was published as part of the Department's consultation on a strategy for services for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in England and is included in the consultation impact assessment. The consultation documents have already been placed in the Library and can be found on the Department's website at:
The Department does not hold information for benchmarking purposes on the stage of diagnosis in other European Union member states.
Clostridium Difficile
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what penalties may be imposed on NHS hospital trusts which fail to meet his Department's targets for reducing the incidence of clostridium difficile. [26395]
Mr Simon Burns: Poor performance in relation to clostridium difficile is covered within the NHS Standard Contracts that commissioners are expected to use for NHS funded services as a basis for setting out their expectations in terms of performance by their providers.
It falls into the Nationally Specified Events aspect of the contract, which introduces a sliding scale of deductions of up to 2% of the annual contract value if the provider breaches the number of cases of clostridium difficile infections in a contract year compared with the previous year's performance. The primary care trust is required to make the year-end deduction under the provisions of the relevant clause within the contract.
Clostridium Difficile: Screening
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the proportion of patients screened for the early detection of clostridium difficile. [26394]
Mr Simon Burns:
For patients who develop diarrhoea, existing guidance, clostridium difficile infection: How
to deal with the problem', published by the Department and the Health Protection Agency, makes clear prompt testing is crucial. A copy has been placed in the Library.
Expert advice is that screening of patients without symptoms for clostridium difficile infection is unnecessary, as current evidence indicates that it is not clinically effective.
Day Care: Greater London
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made an estimate of the likely change in the number of (a) daycare centres and (b) residential homes in (i) West Ham constituency and (ii) Newham in the next 12 months. [26485]
Mr Simon Burns: Care homes are operated by local councils or independent-private and charitable/voluntary-organisations. Day care is not a regulated service; councils are free to take their own decisions on its provision.
It is for local councils to ensure, through their planning and commissioning of all social care services, that there is sufficient capacity to meet local need. Therefore no such estimate has been made by the Department.
In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging fiscal climate, the Government have allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social care.
This means, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, that there is enough funding available both to protect people's access to services and deliver new approaches to improve quality and outcomes.
Dental Services: Yorkshire and Humber
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of NHS dental service centres available in Yorkshire and the Humber; and what steps he is taking to improve provision for emergency treatment. [26547]
Mr Simon Burns: It is for primary care trusts to decide how local services, including dental access centres and urgent care, should develop to meet local needs and service priorities.
Departmental Grants
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the monetary value of grants awarded by his Department was in 2009-10; and how much he expects to award in grants in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; [27261]
(2) what grants have been awarded by his Department in 2010-11 to date; what grants he plans to award in each of the next two years; what the monetary value is of each such grant; and to which organisations such grants are made. [27264]
Paul Burstow: Information about grants awarded to voluntary organisations is routinely published on the Department's website at:
Specific information about all of the Departments grant awards for 2009-10 and 2010-11 has been placed in the Library. In 2009-10 the total value of grants awarded to voluntary organisations was £104,942,584. In 2010-11 the total value of grants awarded to voluntary organisations was £109,843,051.
The monetary value of the Department's grants to third sector organisations in 2011-12 will not be agreed until primary care trust allocations have been decided. However, the Government are committed to ensuring that appropriate support is available to voluntary organisations to enable them to contribute to improving health and well-being, building strong and resilient communities as part of the Big Society.
Departmental Postal Services
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to identify those of its services that could be provided through the Post Office network. [24931]
Mr Simon Burns: "Securing the Post Office Network in the Digital Age" published on 9 November 2010 set out the Government's policy for the Post Office and the provision of Government services. The Department is currently consulting on an information revolution for health and social care. One of the key challenges will be to ensure that information can reach all sections of society. We want to hear from people as to how that can happen and very much welcome responses and ideas, including any views on how or whether making specific services available through Post Offices can play a role within that broader strategy.
A copy of the consultation document, "Liberating the NHS: An Information Revolution" has already been placed in the Library and is available on the Department's website at
Diabetes
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed with diabetes through the NHS vascular screening programme; and what steps the NHS is taking to inform members of the public of their entitlement to screening. [26918]
Paul Burstow: The primary purpose of the programme is risk assessment and risk management rather than diagnosis. However, the modelling undertaken by the Department indicates that, at full roll out, as well as preventing over 4,000 people a year developing diabetes, the programme will detect a significant amount of hitherto undiagnosed disease.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) began phased implementation of the programme from April 2009 and it is for them to decide how to inform local eligible populations about it. Most PCTs have been inviting people individually and informing them of their entitlement to an NHS health check by letter of invitation. As they become more experienced in managing demand for the risk assessment element of the check and confident about their capacity to deliver the risk management, PCTs are increasingly running awareness campaigns.
Disability: Children
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for his Department's funding of disabled children's services (a) after March 2011 and (b) in Sunderland from 2010 to 2015; and if he will make a statement. [26376]
Anne Milton: Primary care trust (PCT) revenue allocations are not broken down by policy or service area. Once allocated, it is for PCTs to commission the services they require to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of both local and national priorities.
PCTs have been informed of their revenue allocations up to 2010-11. Sunderland Teaching PCT received revenue allocations of £510 million in 2009-10 and £538 million in 2010-11.
PCT revenue allocations post 2010-11 will be announced in December 2010.
Freedom of Information
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answers of 1 July 2008, Official Report, column 862W, and 1 September 2008, Official Report, column 1675W, on departmental freedom of information, if he will place in the Library a copy of the information provided on each topic in respect of which the request was (a) agreed to and answered in full and (b) agreed to and answered in part since November 2009; and if he will make a statement. [26412]
Anne Milton: Copies of the information requested by my hon. Friend have been placed in the Library.
General Practitioners
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which private health providers (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have met to discuss the proposed GP consortiums since 6 May 2010. [26521]
Mr Simon Burns: There have been several meetings with private health providers specifically to discuss general practitioner (GP) consortiums and issues such as commissioning support for them.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State held a meeting with a group of companies who provide commissioning support to GP consortiums. The companies represented were UnitedHealth UK, Tribal UK, Humana Europe, Aetna UK and Ingenix.
Departmental officials have met with The Practice, Aetna UK, Tribal, Dr Foster Intelligence, PPP-Axa Healthcare, NHS Shared Business Services, UnitedHealth UK, and GE Healthcare.
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 will apply in respect of the transfer of staff from primary care trusts to GP consortiums. [26524]
Mr Simon Burns: For those staff transferring from primary care trusts to general practitioner (GP) commissioning consortiums, transfers will be covered by either the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) and/or the Cabinet Office Staff Transfers in the Public Sector Statement of Practice which provides terms that are overall no less favourable than if TUPE was applied.
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which reserve powers will be retained by his Department following the transfer of commissioning from primary care trusts to GP consortiums; [26525]
(2) what powers his Department will have to take action in respect of a GP consortium becoming financially unsustainable after the implementation of his proposals for practice-based commissioning. [26532]
Mr Simon Burns: General practitioner (GP) commissioning consortiums will be authorised and held to account by the NHS Commissioning Board. The NHS Commissioning Board will have powers to intervene in the event that a consortium is failing to manage their finances effectively or deliver acceptable outcomes for their patients.
The Secretary of State for Health will remain accountable for the health service with powers to set the legislative framework within which the NHS Commissioning Board and GP consortiums will operate but will not have powers to intervene in relation to individual consortiums. Further details will be set out in the Government's forthcoming response to the consultation on the White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS".
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely average amount of time per week GPs will allocate to running GP consortiums as a result of his proposals to transfer commissioning from primary care trusts to GPs. [26531]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not made an estimate of the likely average amount of time per week general practitioners (GPs) will allocate to running GP consortia.
A fundamental principle of the new commissioning arrangements will be that every GP practice will be a member of a consortium and contribute to its goals. However, our proposed model will mean that not all GPs have to be actively involved in every aspect of commissioning. Their predominant focus will continue to be on providing high quality primary care to their patients. It is likely to be a smaller group of primary care practitioners who will lead the consortium and play an active role in the clinical design of local services.
Consortiums are likely to carry out a number of commissioning activities themselves. In other cases, consortiums may choose to act collectively, adopting a lead commissioner arrangement. They may also choose to buy in support from external organisations, including local authorities and private and voluntary sector bodies, which might include analytical activity to profile and stratify healthcare needs, support for procurement of services, and contract monitoring.
Haemophilia
Mr Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the NHS took steps to advise haemophiliacs that plasma pool samples from factor VIII and IX products produced by the NHS for their use had been tested for pathogens; and if he will make a statement; [26354]
(2) whether he plans to release further information held by his Department on the potential pathogenic side effects on haemophiliacs of factor VIII and IX products produced by the NHS for their use; and if he will make a statement. [26411]
Anne Milton: It was and still is the responsibility of individual clinicians to advise their patients of the risks associated with their treatment. In addition, knowledge of both HIV and hepatitis C emerged gradually, over a period of time in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
All of the relevant Government papers that are available from the period before 1985, when heat treatment for such products was introduced, are on the Department's website at:
Given the level of public interest in this matter, the Government are ready to release any more relevant documents should any come to light.
Help is at Hand Leaflet
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of copies of his Department's leaflet entitled Help is at Hand distributed by (a) primary care trusts, (b) police forces and (c) local authorities in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement; [26842]
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that his Department's publication Help is at Hand is received by those whom it is intended to assist; and if he will make a statement. [26850]
Paul Burstow: Help is at Hand is a resource pack to support people bereaved by suicide or other sudden or traumatic deaths, which was launched in 2006. We have not collected data in the format requested by the hon. Member. However, data provided by the Department's publications orderline, PROLOG, were analysed to show the number of copies of each edition of the resource pack supplied to public institutions and private individuals between 12 September 2006 and 31 December 2009. The total number of packs distributed over this time period was 44,765.
To ensure effective promotion and dissemination of this bereavement pack we undertook a full and comprehensive evaluation of this resource. This evaluation is now complete and will be published before the end of December. Once we have published this evaluation we will consider how best to ensure it is available to all of those who need it.
Support for those bereaved by suicide is a priority for the new suicide prevention strategy currently being developed and due for publication in the new year.
Hemofil T: Clinical Trials
Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2010, Official Report, column 251W, on Hemofil T: clinical trials, what consideration his Department has given to obtaining information on the proportion of patients on the Hemofil T trial that were mild, moderate or severe haemophiliacs; and what assessment he has made of the levels of interest in the issue among (a) the public and (b) hon. Members and Members of the House of Lords. [27280]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency do not hold records of the Hemofil T trial and have not received previous correspondence regarding this specific trial from either the public or Members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords.
Hereditary Diseases
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 8 November 2010, Official Report, column 147W, on hereditary diseases, whether his Department collects information on genetic conditions causing increased morbidity and mortality in children born to first cousin parents. [26003]
Anne Milton: As stated in my previous answer, 8 November 2010, Official Report, column 147W, the Department of Health does not routinely collect this specific type of information centrally.
The Department recognises the value of adequate surveillance of congenital anomalies in order to detect any unforeseen increase of genetic defects due to this or any other causes. Surveillance helps develop local services specifically designed to deal with consanguineous relationships. This includes initiatives delivered through regional NHS genetic counselling services that work to raise awareness of the risks associated with cousin marriage.
Most couples in consanguineous relationships will have healthy children. Overall the risk of a couple having a child with a severe genetic condition is still relatively small, estimated at 4% for cousin marriages compared to 2% for unrelated parents.
Hereford County Hospital: Private Finance Initiative
Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the total running costs for Hereford county hospital (a) was paid to the private finance initiative provider in each year from 2005-09 and (b) is projected to be so paid in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2011. [26280]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in the format requested. However, data for the proportion of total revenue expenditure by Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust in respect of its private finance initiative (PFI) scheme is set out in the following table.
Data are not held centrally for 2010-11 or 2011-12.
| Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust-Proportion of total revenue expenditure relating to PFI | |
| Percentage of total revenue expenditure relating to PFI | |
| (1) 2009-10 accounts were compiled under International Finance Reporting Standards under which PFI costs in the audited summarisation schedules of trusts are split between capital repayments and revenue expenditure elements, which does not make a precise like for like comparison with earlier years in this table possible. However, an estimate of the PFI unitary payment for 2009-10 is held centrally by the Department as well as the audited outturn revenue expenditure figure for the Trust for this year and the percentage figure for this year is calculated using these two figures Notes: 1. The source of the data is the audited summarisation schedules of the trust for 2005-06 to 2009-10. 2. The percentages provided represent the net revenue expenditure in respect of PFI schemes as a proportion of total revenue expenditure. 3. 2005-06 to 2008-09 figures compiled under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. | |
Medical Schools
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical school places were available in 2009-10. [26544]
Anne Milton: The intake to medical schools in England in autumn 2009, was 6,453 students, as shown in the following table.
| Medical school intake in England-2009-10 academic year | |
| University/college | Total intake of students |
| Note: These figures are provisional until November/December 2010 when revised figures will be reported to HEFCE. Source: Higher Education Funding Council for England-November 2009 | |
Medical Schools: Public Expenditure
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of medical school places that will be available in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period. [26543]
Anne Milton: There are no current plans to change numbers but they will be kept under review based on forecast future demand with the advice of the Centre for Workforce Intelligence.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: Screening
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards meeting his Department's 2011 deadline for the screening of non-elective patients for MRSA. [26390]
Mr Simon Burns: As outlined in the "NHS Operating Framework 2010/11", there is a requirement to introduce Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening. Good progress is being made by organisations to implement screening for this cohort of patients, with some organisations already having declared full implementation of the policy and all organisations planning to implement emergency screening for relevant emergency admissions within the expected time scale. Strategic health authorities will continue to monitor delivery towards the requirement by 31 December 2010.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of MRSA. [26392]
Mr Simon Burns: This Government are determined to do all they can to support the health and adult social care providers reduce Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). From the outset, through the Coalition Agreement, this Government made clear that they expected the national health service to adopt a zero tolerance approach to all health care associated infections (HCAIs), including MRSA.
In the revision of the 2010-11 Operating Framework published in June, it was made clear that the NHS should continue prioritising the achievement of the MRSA objective. The successful implementation of this objective will deliver both an overall reduction nationally and, importantly, will reduce variation by moving all organisations towards the performance of the best.
At the same time, the revision of the Operating Framework confirmed that it expected and required the NHS to implement MRSA screening of all relevant emergency admissions by the end of this year.
In terms of using the availability of data as a driver to supporting further reductions in MRSA, we have introduced weekly data publication of both MRSA blood stream infections and Clostridium difficile infections at hospital site level.
We are also committed to ensuring that the NHS continue to have access to evidence based guidance in order that they can reduce the number of all HCAIs, including MRSA, through the implementation of effective
infection prevention and control practices. This guidance is available on the Department of Health's "Clean, Safe Care" website.
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 "Code of Practice for health and adult social care on the Prevention and Control of Infections and related guidance", which the Care Quality Commission uses as a basis for assessing compliance with the registration requirement on cleanliness and infection control has been a driver for improvement in the hospital setting. The scope of the Code has already been extended to adult social care settings and will include primary care in due course so that we can ensure that all settings where patients receive care and treatment operate comparable infection prevention and control practices.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: Screening
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collates for the purpose of monitoring rates of MRSA. [26391]
Mr Simon Burns: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia are subject to mandatory reporting to the Health Protection Agency. The Department uses the outputs from this system to assess and monitor rates of MRSA bacteraemia at both national and local levels.
Multiple Sclerosis: Health Services
Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the membership is of the independent scientific advisory group of the multiple sclerosis risk-sharing scheme; [26893]
(2) how many patients have taken part in the multiple sclerosis risk-sharing scheme; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of administering drug treatments under the scheme; [26894]
(3) which organisation is responsible for monitoring outcomes for patients involved in the multiple sclerosis risk-sharing scheme; and when the results of the scheme will be published. [26895]
Mr Simon Burns: The scientific advisory group of the multiple sclerosis risk sharing scheme (MS RSS) comprises individuals with expertise in clinical research, epidemiology and trials and health economics. The group is chaired by Richard Lilford, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at Birmingham university and receives specialist advice from neurologists who specialise in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
The MS RSS collects data from a cohort of over 5,000 patients. There are an estimated 12,000 people receiving drug therapy in the United Kingdom through the scheme. Total national health service spend in England on the four drugs covered by the scheme is estimated at £50 million a year. The Department contributes £200,000 per year to running the scheme.
Parexel Ltd, a specialist clinical research organisation, is responsible for data collection, management and analysis for the MS RSS. Analysis of four year data from the scheme is due to be completed in 2011.
Muscular Dystrophy: Yorkshire and Humber
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet the Yorkshire and Humber Specialist Commissioning Group to discuss the proposed appointment of a muscular dystrophy care advisor for Hull. [27029]
Paul Burstow: The appointment of a muscular dystrophy care adviser in Hull is a matter for the local national health service. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State currently has no plans to meet the Yorkshire and Humber Specialised Commissioning Group to discuss this matter.
NHS
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely ability of NHS foundation trusts to meet patient safety targets in each of the next three financial years. [26393]
Mr Simon Burns: We are informed by the Chairman of Monitor (the statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts) that the safety of patients at NHS foundation trusts is assessed by a number of bodies, principally the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC registers providers of regulated activities, including NHS foundation trusts and monitors their compliance with the essential safety and quality requirements. Where there is evidence of material safety concerns, CQC and Monitor will jointly consider the appropriate action.
NHS: Armed Forces
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many armed forces reservists employed by the NHS have had requests for leave to undergo operational training refused by NHS trusts in the financial year 2010-11 to date. [26534]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally.
We do not centrally monitor the number of national health service (NHS) staff serving in the reserve forces. There is an option on the electronic staff record (ESR) to record reserve forces training as a reason for absence, however, entry of these data is not mandatory (although it is recommended as ESR best practice). Last year around 100 NHS organisations recorded reserve forces training as a reason for absence but we cannot be sure of a national figure or how many requests for this type of leave have been refused.
NHS: Public Finance
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget deficit or surplus was for each NHS trust on the latest date for which figures are available. [26499]
Mr Simon Burns: The latest figures available on the surplus or deficit positions for each national health service trust are the 2010-11 Quarter 1 forecasts, which were published on the Department's website on 19 November 2010.
These figures can be found by region in annexes 1 to 10 of David Flory's, 'The Quarter: quarter 1 2010-11' at:
and a copy has been placed in the Library.
Nurses: Public Expenditure
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of nurses who will leave the NHS in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period; [26537]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of nurses to be recruited in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period. [26540]
Anne Milton: The information requested is not collected by the Department.
The precise numbers of national health service nurses required over the next five years will not be known until the new organisations that will underpin the new system have been designed in more detail.
The Department of Health has consulted on how the new organisations should be designed and is analysing responses. Information on how the new organisations should be designed will be announced in due course.
The Government have fulfilled their commitment to give the NHS a real terms increase in funding each year. The demands on the service are rising and to meet these, the NHS must make up to £20 billion of efficiency savings by 2014, by reducing bureaucracy and doing things differently. Savings will be reinvested to support the delivery of quality health care.
Social Services: Elderly
Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the likely percentage reduction in funding for social care for older people in Newcastle upon Tyne as a result of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement; [26950]
(2) what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on the quality of social care services provided for older people in Newcastle upon Tyne; and if he will make a statement. [26952]
Paul Burstow: The spending review recognised the importance of social care to hundreds of thousands of adults of all ages, backgrounds and identities: supporting their independence and helping them to make full and active contributions to their communities.
In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging local government settlement, the coalition Government have allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social care.
The national health service transferring some funding from the health capital budget to health revenue, to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. This funding will rise to £1 billion in 2014-15, and will promote improved joint working between the health and social care systems. Further details will be set out in the NHS Operating Framework 2011-12.
Additional grant funding, rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, will be made available for social care. This funding will be allocated in addition to the Department's existing social care grants, which will rise in line with inflation. Total grant funding from the Department for social care will reach £2.4 billion by 2014-15. In order to support local flexibility and to reduce administrative burdens, this funding will go to authorities through the revenue support grant.
This means that, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, there is enough funding available both to protect people's access to care and deliver new approaches to improve quality and outcomes.
A key priority for the Government is a radical devolution of power away from central Government, freeing local government from central control and empowering local people to take an active role in services. Decisions on spending at a local level must be considered in the context of local priorities, which are crafted by local authorities in response to the needs and wishes of the people they serve. Spending on social care will therefore be a decision for the relevant local authority, and it is not possible to provide a central estimate.
South London Healthcare NHS Trust
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the financial performance of South London Healthcare NHS Trust. [26268]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has identified six trusts as financially challenged, including South London Healthcare NHS Trust. The Department will continue to work with London strategic health authority to ensure that, during 2010-11, South London Healthcare NHS Trust has plans in place to return to financial balance, whilst at the same time maintaining and improving services to patients.
Surgery: Waiting Lists
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average waiting time for elective surgery by the end of the comprehensive spending review period. [26528]
Mr Simon Burns: Clinical priority will remain the main determinant of when patients should be treated. Patients should not experience undue delay at any stage of their treatment and would not expect a return to long waiting times for operations.
The national health service (NHS) will be accountable locally to the public it serves and provide information to patients which will drive choice and competition in the NHS.
Tuberculosis: Greater London
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of tuberculosis have been diagnosed in the London Borough of Bexley in each of the last three years. [26267]
Anne Milton: The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Number of tuberculosis cases reported in the London borough of Bexley, 2007-09 | |
| Number of cases | |
| Source: Health Protection Agency | |
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the proportion of the running costs of University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (a) which was paid to the private finance initiative provider in each year from 2005-06 to 2009-10 and (b) will be paid to that provider in 2010-11 and 2011-12. [26153]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in the format requested. However, data for the proportion of total revenue expenditure by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in respect of its private finance initiative (PFI) scheme are set out in the following table.
Figures for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are not comparable with later years as the PFI hospital did not fully open until part way through 2006-07.
Data are not held centrally for 2010-11 or 2011-12.
| University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust-proportion of total revenue expenditure relating to PFI | |
| Percentage of total revenue expenditure relating to PFI | |
| (1) 2009-10 accounts were compiled under International Finance Reporting Standards under which PFI costs in the audited summarisation schedules of trusts are split between capital repayments and revenue expenditure elements, which does not make a precise like for like comparison with earlier years in this table possible. However, an estimate of the PFI unitary payment for 2009-10 is held centrally by the Department as well as the audited outturn revenue expenditure figure for the trust for this year and the percentage figure for this year is calculated using these two figures. Notes: 1. The source of the data is the audited summarisation schedules of the trust for 2005-06 to 2009-10. 2. The percentages provided represent the net revenue expenditure in respect of PFI schemes as a proportion of total revenue expenditure. 3. 2005-06 to 2008-09 figures compiled under UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. | |
Young People: Autism
Jessica Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department issues guidance on referring young people with autism who receive support from child and adolescent mental health services and do not fulfil the criteria for adult mental health teams to appropriate support from other services on reaching adulthood. [26443]
Paul Burstow: The Autism Act 2009 requires that the Government produce statutory guidance for health and social care bodies to support delivery of the autism strategy. The strategy highlights the need to improve transition planning to give people with autism the right start as adults and the guidance will include advice on the transition from child to adult services. I will launch this guidance at a meeting hosted by the National Autistic Society on 17 December 2010.
Cancer: Drugs
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has allocated to each strategic health authority from the NHS funding for cancer drugs announced on 10 November 2010. [27395]
Paul Burstow: With regard to the additional funding for national health service cancer drugs in 2010-11, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr Sharma) on 26 October 2010, Official Report, column 297W.
We are currently consulting on our proposals for the Cancer Drugs Fund to be introduced from April 2011, including on the most appropriate allocation of the £200 million per annum funding.
Child Birth: Greater London
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) hospital and (b) home births took place in the London borough of Bexley in each of the last five years. [26269]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2010:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many (a) hospital and (b) home births took place in the London Borough of Bexley in each of the last five years. (26269)
The table below shows the numbers of live births occurring to mothers usually resident in the London Borough of Bexley in each year 2005 to 2009. These are presented by place of birth: NHS hospital, at home or other.
| Place of birth | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
| (1) 'Other' live births include those taking place in non-NHS establishments such as private maternity units, military hospitals, and private hospitals. They also include births occurring 'elsewhere', for example in private residences that are not the mother's own, or those occurring on the way to the hospital. | |||||
Departmental Sponsorship
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies incurred on sponsorship in each year since 1997 for which figures are available. [27515]
Paul Burstow: The Department does not account for sponsorship separately within its accounting system. It would take disproportionate time and incur a disproportionate cost to collect the information requested. The Department does not collect sponsorship information from its non-departmental public bodies and it would also take a disproportionate time to commission the request.
Football: World Cup 2010
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on entertainment activities related to the 2010 FIFA World cup. [27361]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not funded entertainment related to the activities of the 2010 FIFA World cup.
General Practitioners
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether GP consortiums commissioning healthcare services by tender will be able to accept tenders from other NHS organisations; and if he will make a statement. [27093]
Paul Burstow: It is essential that general practitioner (GP) consortia have the freedom to make commissioning decisions that they judge will achieve the best outcomes within the financial resources available to them. At the same time, the economic regulator and NHS Commissioning Board will need to develop and maintain a framework that ensures transparency, fairness and patient choice. We propose that, wherever possible, services should be commissioned that enable patients to choose from any willing provider.
The NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for providing a framework to support GP consortiums in commissioning services. This will include setting standards for the quality of NHS commissioning and procurement.
Health Services
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the proposals in respect of commissioning of health services in the Health White Paper will lead to (a) podiatry and (b) similar services being commissioned as single services. [27158]
Paul Burstow: The White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS' set out our proposals to devolve power and responsibility for commissioning services to local consortiums of general practitioner (GP) practices.
GP consortiums will be responsible for commissioning the great majority of national health service services. We will expect consortiums to involve relevant health and social care professionals from all sectors in helping design care pathways or care packages that achieve more integrated delivery of care, higher quality, and more efficient use of NHS resources. This will create an effective dialogue across all health, and where appropriate, social care, professionals.
To support GP consortiums in their commissioning decisions, we will also create an independent NHS Commissioning Board.
'Liberating the NHS: Commissioning for Patients' invited views on a number of areas of the commissioning agenda. The engagement exercise closed on 11 October and the Department is now analysing all of the contributions received.
Health Services: Standards
Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of patients spent (a) four hours or less and (b) more than four hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge at accident and emergency departments in each (i) month and (ii) quarter of (A) 2009 and (B) 2010 to date. [27637]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
Quarterly data on the number and proportion of patients who spend four hours or less from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge at accident and emergency (A&E) departments is available and published quarterly via the Department's Quarterly Monitoring Accident and Emergency Services (QMAE) dataset. QMAE is the official source for monitoring performance against the four hour A&E waiting time standard.
Monthly data on the number and proportion of patients who spend four hours or less from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge at A&E departments are only available monthly for August to October 2010 from situation report (SitRep) management data. These data do not undergo the same validation processes as official QMAE data.
For the months prior to August 2010 SitRep data were collected on a weekly basis and monthly figures would be difficult to obtain from the weekly data as different months would contain different numbers of weeks, meaning a month on month comparison would be distorted.
| A&E attendances and performance, England, calendar year, 2009 and 2010 by quarter, 2010, August, September, October | ||||||||
| All A&E/Minor Injuries Unit/Walk in Centre (Type 1, 2, 3) | ||||||||
| Attendances where patient spent: | Percentage of attendances where patient spent: | |||||||
| Calendar year | Quarter | Month | OrgID | Name | Four hours or less in A&E | More than four hours in A&E | F our hours or less in A&E( 1,2) | More than four hours in A&E( 1,2) |
| (1) From Q1 2010-11 (calendar year 2010 Q2), the calculation of quarterly A&E performance on the QMAE has changed. Prior to 2010-11 the calculation has identified the proportion of breaches with respect to all A&E attendances, irrespective of whether the time spent in A&E was known. The new calculation shows the breaches as a proportion of total attendances for which the time spent in A&E is known. Any attendances for which the time spent in A&E is unknown are excluded from the total attendances for the purpose of the calculation. (2) The calculation of monthly A&E performance on the Monthly SitReps identifies the proportion of breaches with respect to all A&E attendances, irrespective of whether the time spent in A&E was known. Notes: Attendances with an unknown total time are not included in the quarterly QMAE data. Source: Department of Health dataset QMAE, Monthly SitReps | ||||||||
Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of patients (a) received treatment within and (b) waited longer for treatment than 18-weeks after referral in each (i) month and (ii) quarter of (A) 2009 and (B) 2010 to date. [27638]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is shown in the following table:
| Referral to treatment (RTT) national statistics (England) | ||||||
| Completed admitted adjusted RTT consultant-led pathways | ||||||
| Calendar year | Quarter | Month | Number of patients who started treatment within 18-weeks | Number of patients who started treatment after 18-weeks | % of patients who started treatment within 18-weeks | % of patients who started treatment after 18-weeks |
Health Services: Weather
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether any NHS trusts have reported issues related to (a) capacity of critical care services and (b) bed availability under his Department's winter reporting arrangements since 2 November 2010; [27349]
(2) whether he has received any reports of problems in patient handover between ambulance and acute services under his Department's winter reporting arrangements during November 2010; [27350]
(3) whether any (a) daily situation reports and (b) NHS trusts have identified services operation problems under his Department's winter reporting arrangements since 2 November 2010. [27351]
Mr Simon Burns: It is for individual local health areas, working with their strategic health authorities (SHAs), to ensure that appropriate services are available for their patients during winter.
Where operational issues are identified through daily winter reporting, the Department works closely with SHAs to ensure local winter plans are escalated to mitigate operational risks.
There will, on occasion, be peak demands on services in certain places. This can mean temporary measures are necessary, but these are kept to an absolute minimum and patient safety and quality of care are always paramount.
Hip Fractures: Older People
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the variation in number of older people with hip fractures between different local authority areas. [27455]
Paul Burstow: There is a significant programme of work in development to address variation. This Government intended the commissioning toolkit to support organisations' establishment of effective falls and fracture prevention and management, the best practice tariff that is in place which incentivises high quality care; National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on hip fracture care and the focus on outcomes within the national health service.
Insulin
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has for the future provision of testing strips for insulin users. [27100]
Paul Burstow: Prescribing decisions about blood testing strips are for local determination. It is for the local national health service to ensure that they are commissioning for a comprehensive diabetes service that includes patient education as well as access to blood testing strips.
In 2002, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued clinical guidelines on 'Management of Type 2 Diabetes-Management of Blood Glucose'. The guidelines include advice on the self-monitoring of blood glucose, and state that self-monitoring can have benefits, but it should be carried out as part of an integrated self-care package and if the purpose is clear and agreed with the patient. People with non-insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes, who believe it to be beneficial, and have clearly defined goals and objectives, should be encouraged to continue to monitor.
Local Involvement Networks: Finance
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he plans to put in place to ensure continuity of funding to local authorities for Local Involvement Networks prior to the establishment of local HealthWatch organisations; and if he will make a statement. [28201]
Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy) on 18 November, Official Report, columns 957-958W.
NHS Commissioning Board
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS Commissioning Board will commission salaried primary dental care services. [27167]
Mr Simon Burns: Yes, that is our intention. The White Paper "Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS" proposed that the NHS Commissioning Board would commission primary care dental services.
NHS Foundation Trusts
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that NHS trusts continue to provide equal access for all patients upon becoming foundation trusts; and if he will make a statement. [27094]
Mr Simon Burns: Each primary care trust (PCT) needs to ensure equality of access to national health service services through the providers it contracts with, including NHS foundation trusts (NHSFTs). Through contracting with a plurality of health service providers, PCTs should be able to secure improved access for the patients they serve.
In the future, general practitioner consortiums will commission the services that patients receive, helping them to navigate the system and ensure they get the best care.
The general right to access NHS services will remain unchanged as NHS Trusts become authorised to operate as NHSFTs.
NHS Litigation Authority
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS Litigation Authority will provide insurance cover for private providers of NHS services after the implementation of the proposals in the NHS White Paper. [27160]
Mr Simon Burns: The NHS Litigation Authority does not currently provide insurance cover, but provides a discretionary indemnity to members of the statutory schemes established under section 71 of the National Health Service Act 2006. Membership of the schemes is voluntary.
The Department is committed to making sure the same arrangements that provide clinical negligence cover to NHS bodies are also available to other providers that deliver NHS care, including other public sector providers and private providers. Changes will be implemented alongside the White Paper reforms.
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