Congenital Abnormalities
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many children with a diagnosis of fetal valproate syndrome also have a diagnosis of (a) spina bifida, (b) neural tube defects, (c) cardiac and heart malformations, (d) kidney malformations and (e) cleft lip or palate; [162546]
(2) how many children were diagnosed with fetal anti-convulsant syndrome between 1989 and 2012. [162547]
Dr Poulter: The information requested is not collected centrally.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre advise their clinical coders are unable to identify fetal anti-convulsant syndrome using the ICD10 classification of diseases that is used in the Hospital Episode Statistics. Therefore they are unable to supply any data for these questions.
Dementia: Young People
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will work with his counterparts in the devolved administrations on a UK-wide approach to younger people with dementia; [162605]
(2) what comparative assessment he has made of the rate of dementia diagnosis in each constituent part of the UK; and if he will work with his counterparts in the devolved administrations to ensure that best practice on dementia diagnosis is shared across the UK. [162766]
Norman Lamb: Improving diagnosis rates for dementia in England is a priority for the Government and we want to see both an increase in the overall rate and a reduction in the current regional variation. Diagnosis rates for dementia in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.
Dementia has been prioritised by both the Department through the NHS Mandate and NHS England has an ambition to ensure that two-thirds of people with dementia are identified and given appropriate support by 2015.
Officials and clinical advisers from England and the devolved administrations met in May 2013 to share policy and practice on dementia.
Footwear
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of treating people with conditions caused by poor quality or inappropriately fitted footwear in each of the last five years; [162819]
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(2) how many children received orthotic footwear inserts in each of the last five years. [162820]
Dr Poulter: The Department can neither state how many children received orthotic footwear in each of the last five years nor estimate the cost of treating people with conditions caused by poor quality or inappropriately fitted footwear, as this information is not held centrally.
General Practitioners: Rural Areas
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Royal College of General Practitioners on the effect on the consulting time available to GPs in rural areas of the time taken to make home calls. [162595]
Dr Poulter: The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has not had recent discussions with the Royal College of General Practitioners concerning the effect of making home calls on the consulting time available for GPs in rural areas.
Medical Treatments: Lasers
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have received skin laser treatments on the NHS in each of the last six years; what the reasons have been for this treatment; how old such patients were at the time of treatment; and what the cost to the public purse has been of such treatments. [163016]
Norman Lamb: This information cannot be provided in the format requested. In the following tables we have provided the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) in England with a procedure of skin laser treatment by five year age groups for 2006-07 to 2011-12 and also provided the top primary diagnoses (diagnoses that were one of the 10 most common in any of the last six years) for FCEs with this procedure.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre has advised that, due to procedure coding arrangements, the FCE count will not capture all those where skin laser treatment was provided and that Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data contain no information about the cost associated with providing these treatments.
| Count of FCEs(1) in England with a procedure of laser destruction of lesion of skin(2) by age group, 2006-07 to 2011-12(3) | ||||||
| Age band | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
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| Notes: 1. An FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. 2. Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Classification of Interventions and Procedures 4.6 coding used: S09.1—Laser destruction of lesion of skin or head or neck S09.2—Laser destruction of lesion of skin NEC (not elsewhere classified) 3. The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients undergoing a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single episode. 4. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in national health service practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. 5. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. 6. HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. | ||||||
MITIE Group
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spends on contracts with MITIE; and how much was spent on contracts with MITIE in each year since 2008. [162466]
Dr Poulter: Records show that there has been no expenditure with MITIE in the following calendar years: 2008, 2012 and 2013.
The following table details the spend in the remaining calendar years of 2009, 2010 and 2011 on contracts with MITIE.
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| Merchant MITIE Catering | |
| £ | |
Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the population in England with (a) a spinal injury, (b) multiple sclerosis, (c) Parkinson's disease and (d) spina bifida is affected with neurogenic bowel dysfunction. [162980]
Norman Lamb: This information is not collected.
Obesity
Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the effectiveness of the indicators set out in the Quality and Outcomes Framework in providing incentives to GPs to tackle obesity; and if he will make a statement. [162757]
Anna Soubry: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) manages the independent process for developing and reviewing the evidence base for Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) clinical and public health related indicators. In developing QOF indicators, NICE consider both the financial and clinical effectiveness indicators.
The independent advisory committee then recommends new indicators or changes to indicators. NHS Employers then negotiate with the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association on which of the published indicators should be applied nationally and what the financial value and payment thresholds for those indicators should be. NHS Employers negotiate on behalf of NHS England and the devolved Administrations.
All the proposals for new indicators in QOF were piloted by NICE for at least six months and their independent advisory committee considered the question of practical implementation before they made their recommendations.
The effectiveness of QOF indicators are reviewed if there is new evidence on either the clinical or financial effectiveness of that indicator, or if NICE are requested to review the indicator.
Palliative Care
Mr Sutcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is on providing assistance to relatives and friends of deceased persons in the preparation of their submissions to the Liverpool Care Pathway review; [163060]
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that families wishing to make a submission to the Liverpool Care Pathway review are able to access medical records within a
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timescale that enables them to make an informed submission; [163061]
(3) what measures he will put in place to guarantee patient confidentiality without diminishing the level of detail in the findings of the Liverpool Care Pathway review. [163062]
Norman Lamb: Public submissions to the independent Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) review closed on 5 April. As it is independent of the Department, the LCP review is responsible for its own internal processes. However, the review will ensure that all data received is anonymised.
The independent review panel, chaired by Baroness Neuberger, is planning to publish its report into the Liverpool Care Pathway in July.
Press: Subscriptions
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications in the last 12 months. [162652]
Dr Poulter: The Department's spend on newspapers, periodicals and trade publications in the last 12 months (June 2012-May 2013) was £125,908. This shows a 4% reduction on the April 2011-May 2012 figure of £131,101 and a 49.5% reduction on the 2009-10 figure of £249,152 under the previous Government.
Prosthetics
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use is being made of 3D printers to create prosthetics within the NHS. [162374]
Norman Lamb: We understand from NHS England that specialised hospitals in the national health service have been using the technologies of computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing technologies and 3D printers to create prosthetics for a number of years; ranging from small dentistry metal implants to small bone prosthetic implants. The Maxillofacial Unit in Morriston hospital in collaboration with the product design and research (PDR) centre at Cardiff metropolitan university is the national centre for activity in this field. They continue to work in partnership with universities and industry to further explore the wider capability of this technology for the benefit of patients.
Sick Leave
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days on average staff of his Department in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in each of the last 12 months. [162584]
Dr Poulter: The Department has one of the lowest rates across Whitehall for the number of working days lost through sickness.
The Department submits annual data to the Cabinet office on a quarterly rolling annual, basis by region, grade, age, gender and sickness. It is collected quarterly in arrears. During the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, the latest date for which data is available, a total of 9,262 sick days were authorised which equates to 4.1 annual working days lost per member of staff.
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The following table shows the absence rate by staff grade for that period:
| Grade | Total Working Days Lost in 2012-13 | Average Working Days Lost (per staff year) |
| Source. Department of Health Business Management System | ||
Staff
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in each of the last 12 months. [162616]
Dr Poulter: The Department does not collect all the data in the format requested. Where this is not available the last available figures have been provided.
During 2012-13 the Department spent £49,275 on recruitment agency fees to recruit permanent civil servants to the Department. An additional £36,246 was paid to the Department for Education to recruit a Chief Social Worker as part of the Department's contribution to the joint recruitment process. In 2013-14, £6,750 has been spent to date.
In the last 12 months the Department has paid £11,973 to provide outplacement services for staff at risk of redundancy.
The following table shows the monthly breakdown of these charges:
| Outplacement Services Expenditure per month | |
| Month | Cost (£) |
During 2012-13 the Department spent £561,716 on corporately funded training and development programmes for its officials. The following table shows the monthly breakdown of these charges:
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| 2012-13 Corporate Learning and Development Expenditure Monthly Analysis for centrally funded training and development courses | |
| Month | Costs (£) |
| (1) These represent refunds due to the cancellation of training places. | |
In addition, directorates also have learning and development budgets. Expenditure from these local budgets are not tracked centrally and information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Streptococcus
Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent progress he has made in implementing the Government's strategy for dealing with Group B Streptococcus; [163078]
(2) what the most recent recommendation is that he has received from the UK National Screening Committee on screening for Group B Streptococcus; [163079]
(3) what steps he has taken to ensure that appropriate tests are used within the NHS when a clinician and pregnant woman seek to identify Group B Streptococcus carriage. [163080]
Dr Poulter: The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are in the process of appointing a clinical research fellow to carry out an audit across the United Kingdom. It would aim to provide feedback and advice to all participating trusts about how they can further improve their adherence to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines on the prevention of neonatal Group B Streptococcus disease.
The National Institute for Health Research's Health Technology Assessment programme is planning to publish a call for research proposals in July 2013 on rapid testing for Group B streptococcal colonisation in pregnant women considered to be at high risk.
The UK National Screening Committee advises Ministers and the national health service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy and supports implementation. Using research evidence, pilot programmes and economic evaluation, it assesses the evidence against a set of internationally recognised criteria. The UK National Screening Committee reviewed the evidence for screening Group B Streptococcus carriage in pregnancy in November 2012 and recommended that antenatal screening for Group B Streptococcus carriage should not be offered, because there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the benefits to be gained from screening and treating those carrying the organism with intravenous antibiotics during labour would outweigh the harms.
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The advice from the UK National Screening Committee is consistent with that from both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The policy is due to be reviewed again by the UK NSC in 2015-16, or earlier if significant new evidence emerges.
Public Health England in partnership with professional organisations has developed standard “B 58—Processing of swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage” available from the Public Health England website at:
www.hpa.org.uk/SMI/pdf/Bacteriology
which describes the processing of specimens from pregnant women for carriage of Group B streptococci. It is recognised that screening of pregnant women is not currently recommended in the UK, however B 58 is a useful method for laboratories analysing samples for the presence of Group B streptococci.
Public Health England is producing a working paper on the availability and quality of Group B Streptococcus testing within NHS laboratories, and work with the Royal College of Pathologists to ensure an appropriate test is available.
Public Health England is working with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the
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Royal College of Midwives to develop educational materials for health professionals, to include details on the appropriate testing methodology, sample site selection and culture methods for Group B Streptococcus carriage in pregnant women.
Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's vacancy rate was in 2012-13; and what vacancy rate has been assumed for 2013-14. [162670]
Dr Poulter: The Department does not use or monitor a vacancy rate nor does it use any measure reflecting the variation of vacancies over time. The Department is not required to report dated vacancy counts to any central data collection bodies, such as the Cabinet Office or the Office of National Statistics.
However, vacant positions at senior civil servant level can be obtained in the form of organisation charts and the latest organisational charts for the Department (as at 1 April 2013) can be found at:
http://data.gov.uk/dataset/staff-organograms-and-pay-department-of-health