House of Lords
Wednesday, 20th March 2002.
The House met at half-past two of the clock: The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Oxford.
Hospitals: Alcohol-related Violence
Baroness Masham of Ilton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In view of the number of alcohol-related attendances at accident and emergency departments, when they will publish their national alcohol strategy.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): My Lords, the Government are determined to make life safer for National Health Service employees. We have already set targets to reduce violent incidents. Alcohol can contribute to violent incidents and the Government will be implementing our national strategy to tackle alcohol misuse by 2004.
Baroness Masham of Ilton: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. It is a pity that the date is not sooner. Is he aware that at peak periods in some accident and emergency departments as many as eight out of 10 people may have abused alcohol? Crisis teams can be called upon by A&E departments to help with mentally ill patients. Could they be provided for those suffering from alcohol abuse?
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My Lords, the noble Baroness is right to point out the serious impact of people attending A&E departments with alcohol-related injuries or problems. It is impossible to say exactly how many A&E attendances are alcohol related, but a Health Education Authority study found that one in six people attending A&E for treatment had alcohol-related injuries or problems, rising to eight out of 10 at peak times. That makes life difficult for dedicated NHS staff working in incredibly difficult circumstances. We have launched a zero tolerance strategy to communicate to the public and staff that violence towards NHS staff will not be tolerated.
A number of good initiatives, such as the one mentioned by the noble Baroness, have been implemented. I especially commend the co-operation that has taken place between NHS authorities and the police, enabling the NHS to call on the police where necessary.
Lord Clement-Jones: My Lords, in June last year, I think, the Prime Minister announced plans to crack down on violence in hospitals. Guidance was promised later in the year. Has that guidance now been
produced? The baseline measurement of offences of violence in hospitals continually shifts. Have the Government now got a grip on the problem? Is it beginning to decline?
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My Lords, the figure I have for the number of violent incidents in 1998-99 is about 65,000. The department now has figures for financial year 2000-01, which are currently being analysed but are not yet finalised. They will form the baseline against which we set targets for reduction in violent incidents.
The work announced by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has been taken forward. Campaign materials—posters and distance learning packages—have been made available. There is an award scheme and the NHS is setting up safety awareness teams and making support available to staff when violent incidents occur. So an enormous amount of activity is taking place. I am satisfied that each individual NHS organisation is taking the matter seriously.
Lord Tomlinson: My Lords, does my noble friend agree that if we know that there are 65,000 violent incidents—a horrifying figure—the baseline for reduction does not need much calculation? It should be 65,000.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No, my Lords, I do not entirely agree. There is a feeling that the figure of 65,000 violent incidents may well have been an underestimate because previously the NHS did not collect figures in a robust way. That shows the importance of establishing a proper baseline, which will be done through careful analysis of the figures for 2000-01. It is much better that we establish a robust baseline and then deliver improvements rather than base improvements on a baseline that may not be as accurate as we would like.
Baroness Gardner of Parkes: My Lords, is the Minister aware that Westminster council is most concerned about the huge numbers of people on Friday and Saturday nights who have to go to University College Hospital with broken bottle injuries and so on? The council feels that the police are needed to control the situation. Does the Minister agree that it is not only the staff but other patients in the hospital who can be attacked or seriously upset by violent people around them? What provision exists for segregation of violent patients from others awaiting treatment?
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My Lords, I well understand the local authority's concern, although I do not know of the specific details of University College Hospital. The noble Baroness is absolutely right. Violence in A&E departments is disturbing not only for staff but for other, law-abiding members of the public who have to attend A&E. Attending A&E is in any case a stressful situation for most of us.
The National Health Service has introduced a number of initiatives, including the provision of security staff, closed circuit television and
programmes that advise staff on how to deal with such incidents. There is also great potential in closer co-operation with the police. Joint working has helped to deal with the problem in a number of schemes. For instance, at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, a police base has been established in the hospital grounds immediately adjacent to the A&E department. In other examples, the police have opened sub-stations near A&E departments, which have proved effective.
Baroness Masham of Ilton: My Lords, is the Minister aware that many of the patients coming into A&E departments are young people and children? Is health education good enough and will public health provision in the new NHS be effective enough?
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My Lords, we will see a strengthened public health role in the NHS reorganisation that will come into effect on 1st April. The principal public health authority will be at primary care trust level. I would expect primary care trusts to take a vigorous approach to health promotion. In addition, the alcohol strategy to be introduced in 2004 will place some emphasis on young people and the kind of message that we must get over to them.
Baroness Massey of Darwen: My Lords, I declare an interest as the chair of the national treatment agency for drug misuse. Does the Minister think that having a national drugs strategy with targets and a national treatment agency will help to support the treatment of drug misuse? Would it be applicable to the treatment of the misuse of other substances, including alcohol?
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My Lords, my noble friend is right to point out the potential of the strategy and the targets. The question of whether the NTA's remit should include alcohol treatment services has been discussed by the NTA with Ministers. We hope to make an announcement about that shortly.
Amateur Sports Clubs
2.43 p.m.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to confer charitable status on amateur sports clubs.
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): My Lords, it is for the Charity Commission to decide whether amateur sports clubs may successfully apply for charitable status under the revised criteria that were announced last November.
The Government's proper role is to ensure that clubs that may consider applying have access to clear guidance and advice. The Minister for Sport is working to that end with the Charity Commission, Sport England and other interested parties.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Is she aware that the vast majority of sports clubs would be dismayed at being able to go down only the charity route? Even the Charity Commission has made it clear that, in addition to the administrative burden, only about 5 per cent of clubs would qualify. Is the Minister also aware that the vast majority of clubs would much prefer the policy published by the Treasury last November; namely, a tax relief package, including 80 per cent mandatory rate relief? Will the Government reconsider that issue?
Baroness Blackstone: My Lords, the Government are aware that some amateur sports clubs would prefer a new tax regime to charitable status. However, if clubs seek charitable status and are designated as charities, they will benefit from 80 per cent mandatory business rate relief, as well as other smaller benefits. It would be a pity if amateur sports clubs did not take up that option, when it becomes available, and I would encourage them all to do so. The benefits would be substantial.
Lord Greenway: My Lords, does the Minister agree that charitable status is not a real option, in view of the complexities of the process? A great many yacht clubs could be involved in the process, and the adoption of the CASC tax relief scheme would discriminate against the larger clubs, which, arguably, are of more benefit to their local community. It would discourage them from growing and developing, in stark contrast to the encouragement given by the Ministers for health, education and sport.
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