| Accident and Emergency vacancies 2010—Breakdown by organisation | |
| Number | |
|
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | |
|
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust | |
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4 July 2013 : Column 800W
| Source: HSCIC Vacancies Survey 2010 | |
| Accident and Emergency vacancies 2009—Breakdown by organisation | |
| Number | |
|
The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | |
| Source: HSCIC Vacancies Survey 2009. | |
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to prevent low staffing levels in accident and emergency departments in England. [163220]
Dr Poulter: The Department has mandated Health Education England (HEE) to urgently review the workforce issues in emergency medicine and produce recommendations this year to address workforce shortages for both the short and long term.
HEE has been created to ensure the national health service has the right staff with the right skills, values and behaviours in the right place at the right time, in the right numbers. This includes working to deliver new generations of skilled staff to areas where there is
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established need, as well as working to support employers in encouraging existing staff to work in these areas. This includes our accident and emergency departments (A&E). The taskforce looking into the issue of A&E staffing is due to report in summer 2013 and HEE will work with colleagues across the NHS and in education to deliver the actions it recommends.
Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs: Harlow
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much his Department has spent on drug rehabilitation in Harlow in each year since 2005; [162890]
(2) how much his Department has spent on alcohol rehabilitation in Harlow in each year since 2005. [162893]
Anna Soubry: Information on spending on alcohol and drug treatment in Harlow is not collected centrally.
The treatment of drug dependence among residents of Harlow in the period 2005-06 to 2012-13 was supported by money allocated by the Department to Essex primary care trust through the Adult Pooled Treatment Budget. The allocations covering Essex in this period are shown in the following table:
| £ million | |
From April 2013, alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and recovery activity are funded from a ring-fenced grant allocated to local authorities to fund all of their public health responsibilities.
In 2013-14, Essex's public health grant allocation is £48.9 million.
Each local authority is free to determine their actual spend on alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and recovery based on an assessment of need. They will be required to report their spending in these areas on an annual basis.
Alcoholic Drinks: Drugs
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women have been admitted to hospital with symptoms of drink spiking in each of the last six years. [163018]
Anna Soubry: The information which is collected centrally about hospital admissions for drug poisoning does not say whether a drug was administered via a spiked drink.
Cocaine
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been admitted to hospital as a result of cocaine use in each of the last six years. [163017]
Anna Soubry:
Data on the number of hospital admissions are collected by finished admission episodes rather than by number of people. Data on the number of finished
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admission episodes to hospital with a primary diagnosis associated with cocaine use for each year since 2006- 07 are given in the following table. It is important to note that finished admission episodes do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year
| Finished admission episodes where the primary diagnosis is associated with cocaine use, 2006-07 to 2011-12 | |
| Finished admission episodes | |
| Notes: 1. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. Primary diagnosis codes used: F14.0 Mental and behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: acute intoxication. F14.1 Mental and behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: harmful use. F14.2 Mental and behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: dependence syndrome. F14.3 Mental and behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: withdrawal state. F14.5 Mental and behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: psychotic disorder. F14.7 Mental and behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: residual & late-onset psychotic disorder. F14.8 Mental & behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: other mental and behaviour disorder. F14.9 Mental & behaviour disorder due to the use of cocaine: unspecified mental and behaviour disorder. R78.2 Finding of cocaine in blood. T40.5 Poisoning by Cocaine. 3. 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 NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre | |
Cystic Fibrosis
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to facilitate the increase in lung donation for transplantation in respect of patients with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement. [162921]
Anna Soubry: We have a number of initiatives to encourage people to add their name to the Organ Donation Register (ODR). Much of this work is led by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in conjunction with a number of partners in the private, public and third sectors. For example, people may sign up to the ODR when they register with a new general practitioner, when applying for a new passport, when applying for a European Health Insurance Card and when applying for a Boots advantage card. We have established a prompted choice scheme, working in partnership with the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which requires people applying for a driving licence on-line to consider organ donation.
NHSBT also run multi media campaigns, education programmes in schools and community engagement programmes to raise awareness of organ donation and promote registration on the ODR. They also organise
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National Transplant Week, an annual event to raise awareness of organ donation, to motivate people to act and join the ODR and to discuss their wishes with their loved ones. Transplant Week 2013 will take place between 8-14 July.
We have also set up the National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Transplant Alliance to increase the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people on bone marrow and whole organ registers, and to increase donation rates in those communities.
During the past five years we have seen a 50% increase in organ donors and 30% more organs being transplanted than five years ago, which will have benefitted those affected by cystic fibrosis and the need for a lung transplant. However, there is a still lot to do. NHSBT will shortly be publishing their strategy ‘Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020’. The strategy builds on the Organ Donation Taskforce recommendations and identifies new ways to make sure that as many people as possible in the United Kingdom receive the transplant they need.
Diabetes
Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the treatment and prevention of diabetes will remain a priority for his Department. [162885]
Anna Soubry: Diabetes remains a priority for this Government.
The Department's NHS Outcomes Framework and Mandate outline the improvements in health and health care that we envisage the national health service achieving.
Through the Mandate, we have asked NHS England to make measurable progress towards making the NHS among the best in Europe at supporting people with on-going health problems such as diabetes to live healthy and independent lives, with better control over the care they receive.
Diabetes is also included in the Cardiovascular Disease Outcome Strategy, published in March 2013, which reiterates our commitment to the NHS Health Check programme. NHS England will be working with Public Health England to make the NHS Health Check programme as effective as possible, helping to reduce people's risk of developing diabetes through advice on lifestyle factors and the earlier diagnosis of diabetes.
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The Department, through Public Health England, has provided ring-fenced funding for the first time to local authorities to tackle problems such as obesity which can prevent diabetes.
Alongside this, we are working with businesses in the food and drink industry through the Public Health Responsibility Deal to help people make healthier choices.
Drugs: Misuse
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many accident and emergency (a) attendances and (b) admissions relating to (i) illegal drug use and (ii) legal high use there were (A) in total and (B) in each hospital trust in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [162923]
(2) how many people aged (a) 0 to 18 and (b) 19 and above were admitted to hospital following the abuse of (i) illegal drugs and (ii) legal highs in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [162925]
Anna Soubry: The information which is collected centrally about hospital admissions does not separately identify newer substances such as legal highs or identify whether a drug has been taken legally or illegally. For example, the information collected on opiate related admissions does not distinguish between opiates that have been prescribed for a medical reason and opiates taken to get ‘high'.
Health Services: Yorkshire and the Humber
Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS staff in Hull and East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust were paid over (a) £50,000, (b) £65,738 and (c) £100,000 in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [163214]
Dr Poulter: As part of the changes brought about by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, primary care trusts were legally abolished on 1 April 2013. At the time of their closure there was no organisation known as the Hull and East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT). However, there were two separate PCTs, Hull Teaching PCT and East Riding of Yorkshire PCT. The figures provided as follows are for these two organisations.
| Number of staff in Hull Teaching PCT | Number of staff in East Riding of Yorkshire PCT | |||||
| Salary | 31 March 2013 | 31 March 2012 | 31 March 2011 | 31 March 2013 | 31 March 2012 | 31 March 2011 |
These figures are sourced from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, NHS Staff Earnings Estimates. They represent staff paid using the NHS Electronic Staff Record system. They are based on the actual basic pay that an individual earned in March each year, multiplied by 12. They do not include redundancy payments or bonuses.
Heart Diseases
Jake Berry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2013, Official Report, column 840W, on heart diseases, what steps have been taken by NHS England, working with the Resuscitation Council, the British Heart Foundation and others, to
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consider ways of increasing the numbers of people trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and what steps NHS England plans to take to inform the public how they can increase their chances of surviving a heart attack. [163089]
Anna Soubry: NHS England is currently considering how best to take forward work on this in light of recent discussions about reducing mortality. It currently has no immediate plans to run an awareness campaign on either cardiopulmonary resuscitation training or on how people can increase their chances of surviving a heart attack.
NHS England gave a commitment to work with the Resuscitation Council and the British Heart Foundation and others to consider ways of increasing the numbers of people trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the cardiovascular disease strategy. NHS England will provide details of the way in which it is taking forward this commitment in due course.
Hernias
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to recognise 28 June as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day. [163178]
Dr Poulter: It is not the Department's role to initiate awareness days, as that is up to individual charities and organisations, but we would be content to offer support to an event of this kind.
Hospitals: Fast Food
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many fast-food franchises are operating on NHS hospital sites in England; [163049]
(2) what guidance his Department and NHS England issue to hospitals on the sale of foods high in fat, sugar and salt in retail and food outlets on hospital sites. [163050]
Dr Poulter: Decisions on food franchises in hospital sites are made locally. Information is not collected centrally on the number of such franchises in operation. Likewise, any discussions about the food on offer are held locally and are the responsibility of those who agree the contracts between the trust and the outlet.
The Department and a number of its agencies issue guidance on food served by the national health service to patients, staff and visitors. Some of this guidance refers specifically to retail and food outlets.
Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services (Food GBS), launched in June 2011, cover nutrition and sustainability aspects of food provision. Whilst not mandatory for hospitals, NHS organisations
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are encouraged to adopt the Food GBS, which include recommendations on reducing fat and salt, including more fruit and vegetables on the menu and making sure food is bought in an environmentally sustainable way.
There is guidance that caterers could use to help provide food that meets the nutritional needs of adults working in NHS organisations—Public Health England is planning an update to this guidance. This guidance—“Healthier and more sustainable catering: A toolkit for serving foods to adults”—can be found on the Department's website:
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/147376/dh_127593.pdf.pdf
The Department also encourages employers to sign up to the Responsibility Deal's pledge on healthier staff restaurants. This specifically mentions fat, salt and sugar as well as other recommendations on fruit and vegetables and portion size. Further information is available on the Department's website:
https://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk/health-at-work-pledges/
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published guidance in December 2006 for the NHS on tackling obesity: “Guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children”. It includes recommendations that the NHS as an employer should actively promote healthier choices in restaurants, hospitality, vending machines and shops. This guidance can be found at:
www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11000/30364/30364.pdf
NHS England does not have responsibility for issuing guidance to NHS trusts on the sale of foods.
Methadone: Harlow
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered methadone users there have been in Harlow in each year since 2005; and what the average spend on each such methadone user has been in that period. [162892]
Anna Soubry: Figures on the number of people receiving prescribed opioid substitute treatment with methadone and the cost of their treatment in Harlow are not collected centrally.
Serco
Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department currently spends on contracts with Serco; and how much was spent in each year since 2008. [162938]
Dr Poulter: Information on departmental spend with Serco for all financial years from 2008-09 to 2012-13 is shown in the following table.
| £ | |||||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | |
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In July 2008, the Department implemented a new business management system (BMS) which collects enhanced detail on the categorisation, purpose and value of orders. This has now given the Department the scope to be more specific about the nature of each categorisation. However, information on the period of engagement prior to this is not held on BMS.
Surgery
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what factors contribute to surgeons' performance data; [163004]
(2) what steps he plans to take to ensure that surgeons are not discouraged from taking on complex cases with high risk because of possible effects on their performance data; [163005]
(3) what research he has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned on the possible effects on patient outcomes of (i) publishing surgeons' performance data and (ii) publicly naming surgeons who do not publish performance data. [163006]
Anna Soubry: NHS England began the staged publication of mortality rates for individual hospital consultants in 10 specialties, leading a drive to give patients more information about their treatment, helping the national health service drive up and maintain the quality of care.
It is intended that publishing outcomes will encourage professionals to implement treatment options that are proven to be most effective for high risk patients, enabling an increased number of high risk patients to successfully undergo surgery.
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Where possible, data are adjusted to take into consideration the risk of a procedure on patients with different risk factors. Improvements in risk adjustment methodologies will be stimulated by putting data into the public domain.
There will inevitably be a small number of outliers, which is where the consultant's data is outside an expected range. A surgeon could be an outlier due to the difficult cases that they undertake and it does not necessarily reflect an issue in performance. It is important that the data are reviewed by experts so that the published data are properly understood by all.
Monitoring and evaluation of data on performance outcomes will be conducted by NHS England and the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership which will include surgeons taking on complex cases with high risks.
In adult cardiac surgery, where results have been published at consultant level since 2005, there is no evidence that publication encourages risk averse behaviour. There has been an annual increase in high risk patients receiving cardiac surgery in the United Kingdom. Despite these high risk patients being given the option of surgery, mortality rates have actually gone down significantly.
NHS Choices will act as the central hub of information and specialist societies and audits are encouraged to be innovative in the way that data are presented in order to stimulate further research.
The Department has not commissioned any research specifically surrounding the effects on patient outcomes from the surgeon performance data and publicly naming surgeons who do not publish performance data.