| Table 2: NHS Capital Expenditure England—1996-97 to 2012-13 | ||||
| Year | Capital Net NHS Expenditure5 £ billion | % increase | % real terms increase6 | |
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1.Expenditure pre 1999-00 is on a cash basis.
2.Expenditure figures from 1999-00 to 2002-03 are on a Stage 1 resource budgeting basis
3.Expenditure figures from 2003-04 to 2009-10 are on a Stage 2 resource budgeting basis
4.Expenditure figures from 2009-10 to 2012-13 are on an aligned basis.
5. Expenditure excludes NHS (AME).
Health: Kidney Failure
Question
Asked by Lord Walton of Detchant
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken in response to the recommendations of the 2009 report by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcomes and Death Acute kidney injury: adding insult to injury.[HL6529]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The report Acute Kidney Injury: Adding Insult to Injury, published in 2009 by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), made a number of recommendations to improve the clinical care of people with acute kidney injury (AKI). In response to the report, the department asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to provide definitive clinical guidance in this area. The NCEPOD recommendations have informed the development of the guidance, the draft of which is currently out for consultation until 29 April 2013 and can be viewed on the NICE website (www.nice.
org.uk) by typing acute kidney injury into the search bar. It is anticipated that the final guidance will be published in August 2013.
More generally, since the publication of the NCEPOD report, the department has undertaken a range of actions to support improved care for people with AKI. These have included developing multiprofessional e-learning packages for fluid management and AKI prevention; establishing regional networks for AKI to support integrated care for AKI patients and to share expertise and resources; working with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to develop a multiprofessional skills and competency programme for fluid management; and establishing an AKI delivery group with the key stakeholders in acute care.
NHS Kidney care (NHS KC), the kidney diseases improvement body, launched the Hydration Matters campaign in June 2012 to highlight the importance of good fluid management in order to improve care for acutely unwell patients and reduce the risk of kidney damage.
Between August 2012 and January 2013, NHS KC also piloted an audit of stage 3 AKI (kidney failure) incidence and outcomes at 47 National Health Service trusts. The publication of comparative information will allow organisations to benchmark their performance against one another and to identify and share good practice. We anticipate the audit findings will be made available in May 2013.
In November 2012, with the support of NHS KC, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh convened a UK wide meeting at which a consensus statement on how to improve the diagnosis and management of AKI was agreed. The statement can be read on the Royal College of Physicians website (www.rcpe.ac.uk) by typing acute kidney injury consensus statement into the search bar.
Health: London Health Improvement Board
Question
Asked by Lord Harris of Haringey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 5 March (WA 397–8), what is the remit of the London Health Improvement Board, and in particular whether it covers the configuration of health services in London.[HL6516]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The London Health Improvement Board was set up by the mayor to help deliver the mayor's general duty to improve the health of all Londoners and a statutory duty to reduce inequalities in health outcomes across the capital. DCLG and DH do not have any involvement with the board or its remit so it would be inappropriate to provide more information about the work of the board.
More information is available at http://www.lhib.org.uk or from the mayor's office.
Health: Meningococcal B Vaccine
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Scottish Government and the Northern Irish Executive regarding the introduction of the meningococcal B vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule.[HL6391]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how their discussions are progressing with the Local Government Association, the NHS Commissioning Board and Public Health Executive regarding the introduction of the meningococcal B vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule.[HL6392]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently evaluating possible meningococcal B vaccination strategies.
Representatives from the devolved Administrations attend meetings of the JCVI and departmental officials continue to work closely with, and regularly meet officials from the Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly on immunisation matters.
The potential introduction of such a possible meningococcal B immunisation programme was discussed recently at the first meeting of the newly established Immunisation Programme Board and subsequently at the NHS Contribution to Public Health Executive Group. It is anticipated that further meetings will be arranged in the coming months between all interested parties to plan for the implementation of a possible decision to introduce a meningococcal B immunisation programme subject to the JCVI’s advice.
Health: Mental Health
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take in the light of research conducted by Bristol University suggesting that NHS doctors are more likely to allow patients to die if they suffer from a mental illness.[HL6398]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The report from the Confidential Inquiry into Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities is an important document. This department commissioned research highlights the inequalities that people with learning disabilities face with regard to their health and care. It is not acceptable that people with learning disabilities are subject to these inequalities and have such a high risk of dying prematurely. That is why there is an indicator in the NHS Outcomes Framework relating to the premature mortality of people with learning disabilities. The recommendations of the Confidential Inquiry give a clear indicator of the areas that need to be addressed, and we will consider these findings carefully
with other partners who have an important role to play in addressing premature mortality, including the NHS Commissioning Board.
Health: Neurology
Question
Asked by Lord Bassam of Brighton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans have been made for the closure of, or change of services at, the Hurstwood Park Neurological Unit in Haywards Heath.[HL6568]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation has taken place over plans to alter the provision of neurological treatment in Sussex.[HL6602]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed it plans to move the Hurstwood Park Regional Centre for Neurosciences from Haywards Heath to a new purpose-built facility in Brighton. This forms part of the trust’s plans to redevelop the Royal Sussex County Hospital as the regional centre for teaching, trauma and tertiary care (known as the 3Ts programme).
The proposals were previously the subject of a public consultation called Best Care, Best Place in 2004.
Health: Nurses
Questions
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many specialist infection control nursing posts have been lost during the transfer of public health commissioning from primary care trusts to the new health structure.[HL6579]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for local determination to ensure that appropriate specialist infection prevention and control commissioning nurses and teams are in place to prevent and control infections.
Asked by Baroness Masham of Ilton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, with regard to the implications of the NHS Mandate, what measures they have put in place to ensure that a safe and proper service is provided following transfer of specialist infection control nurses into the new public health and commissioning systems.[HL6576]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, with regard to the implications of the NHS Mandate, what steps they are taking to guarantee that appropriate funds are available for the specific role of specialist infection control nurses following their transfer into the new public health system and commissioning systems.[HL6577]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, with regard to the implications of the NHS Mandate, how they will ensure that appropriate infection control advice is available in each clinical commissioning group. [HL6580]
Earl Howe: The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England) and clinical commissioning groups have a responsibility for infection prevention and control as part of their commissioning function, as outlined in the draft NHS Standard Contract and in the National Quality Board report on clinical governance.
Local authority public health teams will be required through regulations to advise their partners on local health protection arrangements, including in relation to infectious disease. In addition, provision has been made within the ring-fenced grant to allow local arrangements to be put in place, where necessary, to retain scarce infection prevention and control expertise.
Health: Obesity
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the 10 recommendations of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to tackle obesity in the report “Measuring Up: the medical profession’s prescription for the nation’s obesity crisis” of February 2013.[HL6557]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): We have noted this report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Call to Action on Obesity in England, published in October 2011, sets out the Government’s approach to tackling obesity in the new public health and National Health Service systems and the role of key partners, which includes the medical profession, business and other government departments.
The call to action sets out two new national ambitions for achieving a downward trend in the level of excess weight in children and adults by 2020. A copy of A Call to Action has already been placed in the Library.
Health: Painkillers
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to encourage a greater degree of regulation of the use of painkillers on hospital wards. [HL6470]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Adequate pain relief is an important part of the treatment and support needed for many people with pain, especially chronic pain. Most painkillers for severe pain are controlled drugs regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Information about the benefits and risks of commonly
used painkillers is available to hospital clinicians from sources such as the
British National Formulary
and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Clinicians should be aware of the particular risks associated with use of opioid painkillers in particular.
Health: Royal Sussex County Hospital
Questions
Asked by Lord Bassam of Brighton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when a decision will be made on the final HM Treasury approval for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.[HL6565]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are necessary before a decision will be made on HM Treasury approval for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.[HL6566]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Formal Treasury approval has not yet been sought for the outline business case for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Treasury officials are currently working with their counterparts in the Department of Health to ensure that the proposal is sufficiently well developed so that approvals can be completed as quickly as possible.
A final decision will be made once the redevelopment proposal has been considered and approved at both the outline business case and full business case stages, in line with HM Treasury's major project approval and assurance guidance'.
Prior to any approval being granted, the Treasury will need to be satisfied that the strategic case is sufficiently robust, that the proposal represents value for money, that it is commercially viable, that it is financially affordable and that it is deliverable.
1 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/major_projects_approvals_ assurance_guidance.PDF
Asked by Lord Bassam of Brighton
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what extra resources will be allocated to the Royal Sussex County Hospital to assist facilitating the increase in demand for services, in particular for accident and emergency.[HL6567]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The commissioning of accident and emergency services is a matter for local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), whose resources are allocated by the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England). The Royal Sussex County Hospital is part of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, whose largest commissioning CCG is NHS Brighton and Hove CCG. It will also receive funding through commissions from other CCGs and through the direct commissioning responsibilities of NHS England.
For 2013-14, NHS Brighton and Hove CCG has been allocated £348,461,000. In common with other CCGs, this is 2.3% above the 2012-13 baseline position.
Health: Sleep Apnoea
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the omission of respiratory disease from the NHS Commissioning Board’s list of Strategic Clinical Networks, what steps they will take to ensure that improvements in obstructive sleep apnoea care and services continue in the reformed National Health Service.[HL6432]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The future programme of work on delivering improvements for people with respiratory disease, including those with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), will be a matter for the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB) and clinical commissioning groups from 1 April 2013. The NHSCB is currently developing its work priorities and plans, which will be based on delivering quality care that is effective and safe and that ensures a positive patient experience. Clinical commissioning groups are well placed at a local level to understand and respond to the needs of their local populations, including people with OSA.
Health: Vaccinations
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional support the NHS will receive in the light of the introduction of three new vaccines—rotavirus, meningococcal C and zoster vaccine—into the immunisation schedule this year, as well as a new vaccine against meningococcal B.[HL6393]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Public Health England (PHE) will provide support, advice and expertise to the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England) in commissioning national immunisation programmes. This will include:
procurement, storage and distribution of vaccines;developing national service specifications for national immunisation programmes;provision of PHE-employed immunisation specialists seconded into NHS England area teams to support commissioning and co-ordinate the provision of local programmes with providers;gathering and analysing vaccine coverage and surveillance data;developing and providing national communications strategies for immunisation for healthcare professionals and the public; andproviding expert public health analysis and advice.
NHS England will receive £1,843 million from the public health budget for the purposes of performing agreed public health functions in the financial year 2013-14, including commissioning national immunisation programmes. This funding may be used only for expenditure attributable to the performance of functions pursuant to the agreement. This does not preclude
NHS England from choosing to allocate additional resources to prioritise public health spend within its overall resource limit.
In addition, funding of £360 million from the public health budget for services provided through primary care is included within the total allocation of resources to NHS England. The total amount allocated to NHS England from the public health budget for the financial year 2013-14 for the delivery of public health services is therefore £2,203 million.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the cost to the National Health Service as a result of not charging patients for vaccinations and immunisation for overseas travel.[HL6504]
Earl Howe: There are currently four travel vaccines (polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and cholera) that are routinely available free of charge on the National Health Service. The department does not purchase these travel vaccines centrally. The combined polio vaccine which is also given for reasons other than travel is part of the childhood immunisation programme and that is centrally purchased. However, for travel purposes, general practitioners (GPs) purchase all travel vaccines including the combined polio vaccine direct from the manufacturers.
It is not possible to identify separately the costs to the NHS of the administration of these vaccines by GPs because they are included in GPs’ global sum funding (weighted capitation payments) for delivering essential and additional services.
Data about the provision of vaccines in primary care do not include the reason for prescription. Therefore, it is not possible to provide information about costs of reimbursement and remuneration made to dispensing contractors (doctors and pharmacists) for travel vaccines.
Healthcare: Costs
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what payments they made in the last year for which figures are available, in sterling, to each European Union member state for healthcare provided to pensioners who are UK citizens; what are the amounts in sterling paid by each EU member state to the United Kingdom for the healthcare costs of non-UK EU citizen pensioners resident in the United Kingdom; and what are the total payments in both respects. [HL6523]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Payments made to each European Union member state for healthcare provided to pensioners who are United Kingdom citizens and payments made by each EU member state to the UK for the healthcare costs of non-UK EU citizen pensioners resident in the UK are shown in the following table:
| 2011-2012 | Member State Claims against the UK | UK claims against Member States |
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which European Union member states are reimbursed by the United Kingdom for the healthcare costs of those in receipt of a UK pension on the basis of (1) the average cost of treatment, and (2) the actual costs incurred; in the former case, on which basis the average cost is calculated; and for how many individual pensioners payments were reimbursed in each case in the past year for which figures are available.[HL6524]
Earl Howe: The methodology for calculating average costs is set down by the European Commission, which is required to scrutinise and approve average costs produced. Each country is responsible for how it interprets the rules laid down by the Commission.
The methodology for calculating average costs is set down by the European Commission, which is required to scrutinise and approve average costs produced. Each country is responsible for how it interprets the rules laid down by the Commission.
The method of cost recovery, by country, is shown in the following table (countries not listed hold waiver agreements with the United Kingdom):
| Average Cost | Actual Cost |
The number of registered UK state pensioners, living in other European Economic Area countries and for whom the UK is responsible for health costs, is shown in the following table:
| Country | 2010 |
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many non-UK European Union citizens in receipt of a pension and resident in the United Kingdom received healthcare for which the cost was reimbursed by another EU member state in the last year for which figures are available.[HL6525]
Earl Howe: In 2012, the United Kingdom received reimbursement for healthcare provided to 2,054 state pensioners from other European Economic Area countries resident in the UK.
Herbal Medicines
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 19 March (WA 314), whether the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Dr Daniel Poulter MP has plans to meet Mr Michael McIntyre, Chairman of the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Association, and Lord Pearson of Rannoch, Patron of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, to find a solution to the problems surrounding the establishment of a statutory register for practitioners supplying unlicensed herbal medicines; and, if so, when.[HL6447]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): As set out in my Written Answer of 19 March, this is a complex policy and a number of issues have arisen that the department is required to work through. Once this has been undertaken, an announcement will be made on the progress of this policy. At this point, the department will endeavour to contact all interested parties, including Mr McIntyre and Lord Pearson.
Homelessness: Rough Sleepers
Questions
Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many rough sleepers have died on the streets of London in each year since 2007.[HL6597]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The department does not keep statistics on rough sleeper deaths.
There are extensive services provided for rough sleepers across London including almost 2,000 hostel beds, 35 day centres and 19 outreach teams. Services are concentrated in the main rough sleeping boroughs.
We supported the Mayor of London in developing the No Second Night Out scheme to ensure that nobody new spends a second night sleeping rough on London's streets and all local authorities have now agreed to put this approach in place by end of 2013.
We have supported the voluntary sector to develop a new service—StreetLink. The national hotline (0300 500 0914) and website enable members of the public to pass on the details of rough sleepers to ensure they are found quickly and connected to local services and given the support they need to get them back on their feet.
We have also worked with the Greater London Authority to develop a pioneering Social Impact Bond to work with approximately 850 people with significant experience of rough sleeping in London over the past two years to attract social investment to help address their underlying problems.
London has specific cold weather arrangements in place to prevent loss of life among rough sleepers. We have provided £34 million over four years to the Greater London Authority to tackle rough sleeping across the capital and it operates a pan-London cold weather shelter to supplement the efforts of individual boroughs.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 18 March (WA 106), in the light of the proportion of London rough sleepers who are European Union nationals, whether they will require, rather than expect, the Greater London Authority and other local authorities to have local reconnection protocols with the UK Border Authority effecting and paying for the administrative removal of destitute foreign nationals to European Union countries as a condition of receipt of the extra funding provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government to tackle homelessness; and whether they monitor the level of the present use of that option.[HL6660]
Baroness Hanham: Under the spending review, we have provided £470 million to local authorities and the voluntary sector to tackle homelessness, including rough sleeping. This includes £34 million to the Greater London Authority, which funds a range of rough sleeping services across the capital.
Local authorities and the Greater London Authority already work closely with the Home Office to tackle rough sleeping by destitute EU nationals across London. Where destitute EU nationals refuse to voluntarily depart with the help of the local authority, the Home Office will deploy its administrative removal powers.
Comprehensive data on London’s rough sleepers, including nationality information, is held under the Greater London Authority’s CHAIN system. DCLG does not monitor voluntary departures of EU nationals aided by local authorities. The Home Office publishes data on the removal of EU nationals online: https://www.gov.uk/govemment/publications/data-tables-immigration-statistics-october-to-december-2012
House of Lords European Union Committee
Question
Asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, since the passage of the Lisbon Treaty, how many recommendations have been made to them by the House of Lords European Union Committee; and, of those, how many have been (1) accepted and acted upon by them, and (2) accepted by them and subsequently passed into European Union law. [HL6446]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): The European Union Committee First Report, 2010-12 (HL Paper 13) provides a comprehensive picture of the committee’s inquiry work during this
period. The report notes the key recommendations made by the committee and, where appropriate, the Government’s response to them. A copy of the report can be found in the House Library.
The Government strongly believe that national parliaments have an important role to play in European business and greatly appreciate the contributions made by the House of Lords European Union Committee to the policy-making process.
House of Lords: Appointments
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hill of Oareford on 12 February (WA 146), whether the Prime Minister has undertaken any discussions with the leaders of minor political parties concerning the nomination of their members to take seats in the House of Lords in pursuit of his policy to make membership of the House reflect the shares of votes cast at the most recent General Election.[HL6372]
Lord Newby: In line with the practice of previous Administrations, details of such discussions are not normally disclosed.
House of Lords: Staff
Question
To ask the Chairman of Committees what proposals there are to reduce overtime for House of Lords staff; and what staff will be affected by any such proposals.[HL6343]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Sewel): The House of Lords Administration is in the process of conducting a formal process of consultation with staff in Catering and Retail Services (CRS), regarding the terms of their contracts. Overtime costs in CRS were approximately £311,000 in 2011-12 and while it is recognised that paid overtime will always be necessary, it is anticipated that it can be reduced by better planning of staff time with the use of variable shift rotas, movement between outlets and the use of time off in lieu. The Administration began a formal process of consultation with CRS staff in July 2012 and these discussions are ongoing.
A night duty allowance is paid to some staff who work on a regular basis, on duties connected with the sittings of the House. Some overtime (totalling approximately £25,000 in 2011-12) is also paid in offices other than CRS. The current proposals do not affect night duty allowances or overtime worked in offices other than CRS.
Houses of Parliament: Legislation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Bills in each of the previous five Parliaments affected England alone and had no implications for any of the other nations in the United Kingdom.[HL6499]
Lord Newby: This information could be collected only at disproportionate expense. Each Bill presented to Parliament signifies its territorial extent. In the current Parliament, three Bills announced in the 2010 Queen’s speech applied only to England. All other government Bills announced in the 2010 and 2012 Queen’s Speeches have applied in whole or in part to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Housing
Question
Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 20 March (WA 157), why the table giving details of social housing sales, which would not exceed the standard two columns of the Official Report, was not given as part of the answer, but was placed in the Library of the House; and whether they will now ensure that the table is now published along with the answer in the Official Report.[HL6426]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The information on social housing sales between 1980-81 and 2011-12 placed in the Library following the earlier Questions is set out below. We routinely publish longer datasets as a deposited paper.
| Total local authority sales | Total Private Registered Provider sales | Local authority transfers to Private Registered Providers | |
1. Private Registered Providers refer to Private Registered Providers of social housing in England that are registered with the social housing regulator (for the years in this table, this was the Tenant Services Authority), On 1st April 2012 regulatory functions transferred to the Homes and Community Agency's Regulation Committee. This term excludes local authority registered providers.
2. Source: DCLG, Homes and Communities Agency
Housing Benefit
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis the allocations to local authorities of funds for discretionary housing payments were determined; what calculations were made in determining them; and for what purposes those payments can be used. [HL6509]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Freud): Following discussions between the department and local authority associations it was agreed to allocate discretionary housing payments according to need. To achieve this, a different methodology was applied to each of the funding streams included for discretionary housing payments: original baseline funding; local housing allowance reforms; removal of spare room subsidy; and the benefit cap. The paragraphs below detail the methodology.
Original baseline funding: as per previous years, it was agreed to distribute funds based on previous expenditure.
Local housing allowance reforms: this funding is allocated on the basis of each local authority's share of total anticipated losses experienced by claimants as a result of the reforms to local housing allowance.
Removal of spare room subsidy: this funding is aimed at disabled people who live in significantly adapted accommodation. The methodology used here is based on the regional impacts of forecasted losses as a result of this policy.
Benefit cap: this funding is to provide short-term support to those affected by the benefit cap. To ensure that those in rural areas are catered for, the methodology distributes 10% of this funding equally across all local authorities (to ensure that those with lower numbers, but possible difficult supply side issues have access to funds) with the remaining 90% distributed based on anticipated volume of benefit cap cases as at April 2013 weighted according to the value of the cap amount.
DHPs must be awarded to cover housing costs, which can cover rent, rent in advance, deposits and moving costs. DWP provides guidance to local authorities to help them decide whether to award a DHP, but the administration of the scheme is at local authorities’ discretion.
Housing: Leaseholders’ Charges
Questions
Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review Sections 20 and 20ZA of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and Regulation 6 of the Service Charges Consultation Requirements (England) Regulations 2003, in the light of the decision in Phillips and Goddard v Francis; and, if so, whether they will consult on any proposals to amend the legislation.[HL6647]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The Government cannot comment on the decision in the case of Phillips and Goddard versus Francis,which may be subject to appeal. However, they are aware that it has created uncertainties for leaseholders and landlords, as a result of which many people would like to see their legal duties clarified. Any response to this case must be carefully considered.
The Government also need to look at the important and even more recent Supreme Court case of Daejan Investments Ltd versus Benson, which also involves the Section 20 consultation requirements.
I can confirm that the Government are giving careful consideration to what action may be needed and are committed to dialogue with a broad range of interested parties over the coming months on the issue of leaseholder consultation.
Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether monies paid towards a service charge on a residential leasehold property fall within the meaning of clients’ money in Section 12 of the Estate Agents Act 1979; and what impact they forecast the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, if enacted, will have on protection of funds held by managers of residential leasehold properties.[HL6648]
Baroness Hanham: Section 12 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 sets out the meaning of “client money” for the purposes of estate agency work, including in respect of client money protection requirements at Section 13 of that Act.
Service charges paid by leaseholders in respect of residential leasehold properties do not fall within the meaning of Section 12 of that Act. It is also not entirely clear what impact Clause 71 (Letting Agents etc) of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill as amended on Report in the Lords, would have on the protection of service charges in the residential leasehold sector, if enacted.
However, service charge monies are already protected under Section 42 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987. This requires that service charges must be held in one or more accounts and at a financial institution specified by regulations. Service charges are also deemed to be held in a statutory trust and can only be used for the purposes for which they have been collected.
Asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the practice of landlords of residential property using management charges to recover their costs relating to leasehold valuation tribunals; and whether they will introduce any legislation concerning that practice.[HL6649]
Baroness Hanham: The Government are aware that some residential leases permit the recovery of the landlord’s legal costs of appearing before a leasehold valuation tribunal from leaseholders as administration charges but have not made any assessment of this practice.
Whether or not a landlord is able to recover costs in this way is a contractual matter and will depend on the terms of the lease. The Government are aware, however, that leaseholders are increasingly concerned about the recovery of such costs as administration charges.
The Government are looking carefully at this issue, but they require detailed consideration before determining what, if anything, should be done.
Housing: Mortgages
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their proposed plans to support mortgage lending applicable to existing housing stock will cover the purchase of second homes by married couples.[HL6541]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government are clear that the intention of the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee is to help households who, due to the constrained availability of high loan-to-value mortgages in the wake of the financial crisis, are unable to get on to the housing ladder or are trapped in homes unsuited to their aspirations and needs. At Budget, the Government set out a scheme outline and will be working with industry in the coming months to determine the details of the scheme, including how this intention is best fulfilled.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have reviewed the impact on house prices of their new mortgage proposals.[HL6542]
Lord Deighton: At Budget 2013, the Government announced the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee, which will be available from January 2014. The scheme is a temporary intervention, designed to address the sharp decline in the availability of high loan-to-value lending in the wake of the financial crisis. The Government published a scheme outline alongside the Budget and will be working with industry in the coming months to determine the details of the scheme.
It is for the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to produce the official economic and fiscal forecasts. These are based on all government policies and take into account the impact of new policies on the economic forecast. The OBR's Economic and Fiscal Outlook1 sets out the key assumptions, conventions and projections underpinning the forecast, including the forecast for house prices. Page 43 of the document states:
“The Government have announced various measures aimed at improving the supply of UK housing and supporting property transactions. These include an extension and expansion of the Government's Help to Buy scheme, the Right to Buy scheme and the Build to Rent Fund, and the introduction of a Mortgage Equity Guarantee aimed at high loan-to-value mortgages. The expansion of the existing schemes is likely to have a relatively small additional impact on transactions and residential investment. The details and timing of the guarantee scheme have yet to be finalised and it is therefore too early to quantify the likely impact. Overall, however, these measures, alongside the Funding for Lending Scheme, should support the significant growth in property transactions and residential investment that we forecast over the next two years”.
1 http://cdn.budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/March-2013-EFO-44734674673453.pdf
Human Trafficking
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Salvation Army’s report that it helped 378 victims of trafficking in 2011-12, what assessment they have made of how many of those victims were children at the time they arrived in the United Kingdom.[HL6365]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): The needs of each victim, whether adult or child, are assessed immediately following their referral into the National Referral Mechanism. Child victims, or those thought to be children at the time they are assessed, are referred to the relevant local authority children’s services for accommodation and support. No formal assessment is currently made of the numbers of adult victims who may have been trafficked into the UK as a child.
Immigration: Deportation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons of October 2012 on the Cedars pre-departure accommodation for families, whether they will order the UK Border Agency, and its contractors, not to use force when deporting pregnant women and children.[HL6317]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Taylor of Holbeach): The recommendation in the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons on Cedars pre-departure accommodation that force should never be used to effect the removal of pregnant women and children was rejected by the UK Border Agency. However, the UK Border Agency has taken the decision to adopt a policy not to use force solely to effect removal in such cases until a consultation on its use has taken place.
Inflation
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 8 January (WA 8), what assessment they have made of the efficacy of their inflation targeting framework; and whether they have any plans to change the targeting framework.[HL6456]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): Monetary policy has a critical role to play in supporting the economy as the Government deliver on their commitment to necessary fiscal consolidation. To ensure that they can continue to play that role fully, the Government have reviewed the UK's flexible inflation targeting monetary policy framework in international and historical context. This review of the monetary policy framework was published alongside Budget 2013 and can be found in the Library of the House.
The review includes an assessment of the performance of inflation targeting in the UK over two decades, which have seen low and stable inflation and anchored inflation expectations. Based on the assessment set out in the review, the Government believe that low and stable medium-term inflation is a necessary, though not sufficient, pre-requisite for economic prosperity. As a result, in the remit for the independent Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England set at Budget 2013, the Government have retained a flexible inflation targeting framework and reaffirmed the 2% Consumer Prices Index inflation target, which applies at all times. The Government updated the remit to clarify the trade-offs that are involved in setting monetary policy to meet a forward-looking inflation target.
The Government have also established a new framework for macro-prudential regulation, for which the Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England is responsible.
Infrastructure Investment
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to paragraph 2.231 of Budget 2013, which options they are considering for making more use of independent expertise in further developing their infrastructure strategy; and when they will announce their decisions in that regard.[HL6463]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to paragraph 2.230 of Budget 2013, for which departments they will publish infrastructure capacity plans; and when those plans will be published.[HL6464]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to paragraph 2.230 of Budget 2013, what will be the principal features of the infrastructure capacity plans; and how those plans will improve on the status quo.[HL6465]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to paragraph 2.230 of Budget 2013, how many additional commercial specialists they intend to recruit into Infrastructure UK.[HL6466]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to paragraph 2.230 of Budget 2013, in what respects other than appointing new commercial specialists they will reform their approach to infrastructure delivery.[HL6467]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): In addition to creating an enhanced central cadre of commercial infrastructure specialists, the Government will establish infrastructure capacity plans to drive forward progress in key government departments. These reforms will be undertaken in conjunction with Cabinet Office-led efforts to strengthen Whitehall's commercial capability and Lord Browne’s work to improve the Government's management of major projects including through an enhanced Major Projects Authority. The Government are also considering options for making more use of independent expertise in shaping their infrastructure strategy.
The number and type of additional commercial specialists that will be recruited into Infrastructure UK will be informed by the outcomes of the infrastructure capacity plans.
Infrastructure capacity plans will be composed and used by departments with the support of Infrastructure UK and other government partners. They will form part of the assessment of how much additional commercial expertise departments require and they will assist departments in developing their infrastructure delivery capability, including their use of commercial expertise and governance of projects.
The following departments will develop infrastructure capacity plans by the summer: Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Transport, Department of Energy and Climate Change. The publication of outputs from infrastructure capacity plans will be announced in due course.
The Government are currently considering various options to incorporate independent expertise in the development of their infrastructure strategy in ways that avoid costly or time-consuming institutional changes.
Iraq
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have reached agreement with the Government of Iraq on the repatriation of sentenced persons; and if not, when they expect to do so.[HL6316]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally): Negotiations between the United Kingdom and Iraq on a possible prisoner transfer agreement are taking place. It is not possible to say when these negotiations will be concluded.
Israel: Football Tournaments
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel regarding (1) access to tickets, and (2) free movement across borders, for football fans from the West Bank and Gaza during the UEFA under-21 football tournament in Israel in June 2013.[HL6336]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities.
However, we remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement. Through our embassy in Tel Aviv, we have lobbied the appropriate authorities on the issue of movement and access. We continue to work closely with the Quartet and EU partners, and to call on Israel to ease restrictions on access on all occasions not just the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Under-21 football tournament.
We also hope that UEFA will do all that it can to ensure that when the tournament takes place there are genuine, active and successful steps to use football to promote peace and to break down barriers between Israelis and Palestinians.
Kenya
Question
Asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of Kenya to urge it not to implement its publicly announced plan to relocate all urban refugees to refugee camps.[HL6490]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi): We have raised our concerns with the Kenyan Government, including by our high commissioner with the Minister of Internal Security, and encouraged them to work closely with the UN Refugee Agency to ensure any implementation of the new policy is consistent with the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
Luxembourg Compromise
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will invoke the Luxembourg Compromise to protect the City of London.[HL6348]
Lord Newby: A strong and stable UK financial sector that supports the wider economy requires a high quality, proportionate legislative framework, underpinned by a strong evidence base. This applies to financial services legislation developed and implemented in the European Union, where the UK Government work to ensure they promote competition, delivering a level playing field and protecting the integrity of the single market. The UK Government work closely with EU partners to protect the interests of the UK financial services sector.
Manufacturing
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the “march of the makers” forecast by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 2011 Budget is proceeding in accordance with expectation; and whether they plan further action to promote the United Kingdom manufacturing industry.[HL6455]
The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Deighton): The Government are delivering an ambitious programme of structural reform to equip the UK to succeed in the global race. Reflecting these reforms, the UK was ranked eighth overall in the World Economic Forum global competitiveness report in 2012-13, up from 12th in 2010-11.
Budget 2013 sets out further action the Government will take to support UK businesses, including reforms to achieve the Government's ambition for the UK tax system to be the most competitive in the G20, cutting corporation tax to 20 % from April 2015.
A key part of our growth strategy is working with industry to help UK manufacturers and supply chains to innovate, invest and collaborate, for example:
the £245 million Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative awards grants for collaborative projects across supply chains. The original £125 million allocation for the first two rounds is expected to create or safeguard over 18,000 jobs. The national briefing
event for the two further rounds announced at Autumn Statement 2012 took place in March 2013;the £340 million Employer Ownership Pilots will provide grants to finance employer-led training and apprenticeship schemes. Apprenticeship starts in the Engineering and Manufacturing;technologies Sector Subject Area in 2011-1 2 totalled 59,480 up 21.5 % on 2010-11;the enhanced Manufacturing Advisory Service has helped over 1,000 businesses since its launch in January 2012;the £l40 million High Value Manufacturing Technology & Innovation Centre was launched in October 2011 as part of a network of seven world-leading catapult centres;government will extend the capital allowances short life asset regime for plant machinery from four years to eight years from April 2012; andthe international Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering was launched in November 2011, awarding a £1 million prize to up to three individuals responsible for a ground-breaking innovation in engineering that has been of global benefit to humanity.
As part of their industrial strategy, the Government are developing long-term strategies in partnership with industry for sectors where the UK can be world-leading. Budget 2013 announced a £1.6 billion fund for these strategies, including £1.1 billion of government funding
for an Aerospace Technology Institute, which will provide R&D support for the aerospace sector and will be match-funded by industry. Manufacturing is a key focus of the industrial strategy. The 11 sectors chosen include aerospace, automotive, nuclear, offshore wind, and oil & gas. The aerospace and nuclear sector strategies were published in March and the remaining strategies will be published later this year.
The OBR does not publish a forecast for output disaggregated by industrial sector.
NHS: Charges
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what revenue they raised over the past five years for which information is available in respect of NHS charges for (1) prescriptions, (2) dental services, and (3) ophthalmic services; and what is their estimate of the revenue they would have received over this period had those charges been increased annually in line with inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index.[HL6501]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Information covering both revenue raised and estimated revenue, in respect of prescriptions, dental services and ophthalmic services, is provided in the following table.
1 Source: Department of Health annual reports. Prescription charge figures are revenue from dispensing in the community and include revenue from Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPCs).
2 2010-11 prescription charge figures are unaudited
3 2011-12 prescription charge figures are estimates
4 Estimates have been calculated using RPI figures in February from 2006 to 2011. This is the last month in which prescription charges could be adjusted to account for the latest RPI.
The revenue increases occurring as a result of applying RPI assume no change in purchasing behaviour. For example, as single prescription charges increase, the purchase of pre-payment certificates (of three or 12 months) may become more cost-effective. These potential effects have not been considered in estimates for prescription charge revenue applying RPI.
There is no system of National Health Service charges to patients for optical services. Rather, eligibility for NHS-funded sight tests is targeted at children, older people, those with or at risk of eye disease, and people on low incomes. Eligibility for optical vouchers is primarily targeted towards children and people on low incomes.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the revenue that would be raised by the imposition of a £15 fee for a visit to a general practitioner, assuming the same exemptions from the charge as for prescription charges.[HL6502]
Earl Howe: We have not made such an estimate. The fundamental principle of the National Health Service is that it provides care free at the point of delivery, funded through general taxation. The Government set out in their document The Coalition: Our Programme for Government that they are committed to an NHS that is free at the point of use and available to everyone based on need, not the ability to pay.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the revenue that would be raised by the imposition of a £50 a day board and lodging charge for (1) all elective surgery requiring in-patient care longer than 24 hours, and (2) for all lengths of stay as a hospital in-patient longer than 7 days, for all people aged between 18 and 85.[HL6503]
Earl Howe: The department has not made an estimate of revenue raised by a charge on board and lodging as described by the noble Lord. It is a key principle that NHS services should be free at the point of use, based on clinical need and not an individual’s ability to pay. This has underpinned the National Health Service since its establishment in 1946. It is enshrined in the NHS constitution and reaffirmed in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Charges for NHS services can be made only where expressly provided for in legislation—for example, prescription charges.
NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which clinical commissioning groups will not have been authorised by 31 March 2013; and which groups have had conditions attached to their authorisations.[HL6438]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): There are 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), all of which have now been authorised. A CCG may be authorised unconditionally or with conditions. Where a CCG has been authorised with conditions, it must meet these conditions before it is fully authorised. 106 CCGs have been authorised with no conditions. 105 have been authorised with conditions. Where a CCG is authorised with conditions, the NHS Commissioning Board will provide support to the CCG to enable it to discharge its full functions as soon as possible.
A full list of the CCGs authorised with conditions has been placed in the Library.
NHS: Commissioning
Question
Asked by Lord Harris of Haringey
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, notwithstanding the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 11 March (WA 30), whether they will consider making the board papers of all public organisations or committees that are associated with the commissioning of NHS and social care available through a single portal in the light of their commitment to openness and transparency.[HL6513]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): While we are committed to supporting openness and transparency at national and
at local levels, we are not convinced at present that a single portal is the best method of facilitating this, particularly considering the local focus of many organisations.
NHS: Expenditure
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which NHS trusts overspent their budgets in 2010–11 and 2011–12; and which are forecast to do so in 2012–13.[HL6437]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): National Health Service trusts that reported an operating deficit in their 2010-11 and 2011-12 annual accounts, and those that are forecasting an operating deficit at quarter three of 2012-13, are shown in the following tables.
An operating deficit excludes any revenue impact of changes in the accounting treatment of impairments, donated assets and government grant reserves, and the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards and absorption accounting.
The department does not collect data from NHS foundation trusts. Where an NHS trust obtains foundation trust status part way through any year, the data provided are only for the part of the year the organisation operated as an NHS trust.
| NHS trust name | 2010-11 Annual accounts operating deficit £000s |
| NHS trust name | 2011-12 Annual accounts operating deficit £000s |
| NHS trust name | 2012-13 Quarter 3 Forecast outturn operating deficit £000s |
NHS: Fraud
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much was written off in the NHS accounts over each of the last three financial years as a result of (1) fraud by NHS staff and contractors, (2) fraud by patients, and (3) the failure to collect fees from patients receiving but not entitled to free NHS treatment. [HL6505]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Information on the amounts written off as a result of fraud by National Health Service staff and contractors and fraud by patients is not separately identifiable from the statutory accounting data collected by the department.
Figures showing the total losses, bad debts and claims abandoned by the NHS in respect of overseas patients are provided in the following table. This does not represent total non-collection of fees from patients receiving but not entitled to free NHS treatment, which could include such items as dental and prescription fraud. Information on amounts written off in NHS accounts as a result of prescription and dental fraud is not collected centrally.
| Bad debts and claims abandoned—overseas patients £s | |
Source: (1) Audited summarisation schedules of primary care trusts and NHS trusts and (2) Monitor (for NHS foundation trusts).
NHS: Liverpool Care Pathway
Question
Asked by Baroness Knight of Collingtree
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the procedure for examining the Liverpool Care Pathway, chaired by Baroness Neuberger, is an inquiry under the terms of the Inquiries Act 2005.[HL6382]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The procedure for examining the Liverpool Care Pathway is not an inquiry under the terms of the Inquiry Act 2005. The Government have been clear from the outset that this is a review of how the Liverpool Care Pathway is used and experienced.
However, we are taking the concerns that have been raised about the Liverpool Care Pathway extremely seriously. That is why we have set up an independent review, chaired by Baroness Neuberger, supported by a panel with a wide range of expertise and experience.
NHS: Patient Registration
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what residence qualifications are required, and whether the possession of a National Insurance number is needed, for registration as a patient with an NHS general practitioner.[HL6646]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): Under current rules, those wishing to register as a patient with a general practice for National Health Service primary medical services should approach the practice of their choice and ask to be registered. They are not required to prove residency in the United Kingdom or to hold a national insurance number.
However, we have recently reviewed the rules and practices around charging visitors and migrants for NHS care, including primary care. On Monday 25 March, we announced that we would consult shortly on a range of options, including ending free access to primary care for all visitors and tourists, and improving how the NHS can identify, charge and recover charges where they should apply.
NHS: Primary Care Trusts
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which primary care trusts will be abolished on 31 March 2013 holding (1) current, and (2) historic, debt; how much of such debt will be written off; and, if any of it is not, which bodies will assume responsibility for such debt in 2013–14.[HL6439]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): The NHS Operating Framework for 2012-13 stated: “It is a requirement that no PCT or SHA will plan for a deficit in 2012-13. PCTs carrying legacy debt into 2012-13 must clear it”.
Management of primary care trust (PCT) legacy debt takes place at strategic health authority cluster region level; however, the department expects it to be managed in line with the requirements laid out in the NHS Operating Framework.
At quarter 3 of 2012-13, there is only one PCT, North Yorkshire and York PCT, forecasting a deficit of £12 million, which is an improvement of £7 million from the deficit forecast at quarter 2. The PCT reported a surplus in 2011-12; therefore, the position forecast in 2012-13 is an in-year deficit.
The NHS Commissioning Board has advised that this deficit will be shared among successor bodies on a pro rata basis.
The NHS Operating Framework states that clinical commissioning groups will have their own budgets from 2013-14. They will not be responsible for resolving PCT legacy debt that arose prior to 2011-12.
The NHS Commissioning Board published its planning guidance for 2013-14 alongside the financial allocation for each clinical commissioning group. This states that any PCT deficits that do arise in 2012-13 will be the responsibility of relevant clinical commissioning groups and direct commissioners.
NHS: Private Management
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, notwithstanding the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 March (WA 181), whether they will now explain why there are no new proposals to allow qualified private firms to manage NHS trusts.[HL6553]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): National Health Service trusts have submitted their plans for 2013-14 to the NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA) and these are being assessed. Where a NHS trust is not able to prepare a viable foundation trust solution, there are a series of discussions that need to take place before potential partners, NHS or other, can be considered. The NHS TDA Accountability Framework, which sets out the process for such transactions, will be considered by the NHS TDA board at its meeting on 4 April 2013 and published shortly thereafter.
NHS: Staff
Questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the posts in NHS Commissioning Board local area teams have been filled by applicants with a background in immunisation; and how many have been filled by those who are experts in screening.[HL6394]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe): There are a total of 241 specialist public health screening and immunisation posts in NHS Commissioning Board local area teams. The position in early March 2013 was that 124 posts had been successfully filled mainly through internal recruitment process, the remaining posts were advertised and interviews set up. A detailed breakdown of individual applicants’ backgrounds is not available nationally, but local teams are undertaking reviews of skills and training needs while training programmes have been set up for people to book on to.
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans the Department of Health has to improve staff health and well-being and to reduce rates of sickness absence in the National Health Service.[HL6482]
Earl Howe: The department commissioned NHS Employers to support the National Health Service in improving staff health and well-being, and help reduce rates of sickness absence, by encouraging trusts to implement five high impact changes (HICs) developed following Dr Steven Boorman’s NHS Health and Well-being: Final Report, published in 2009. The five HICs are headed: developing local evidence-based improvement plans; with strong visible leadership; supported by improved management capability; with access to better, local, high-quality accredited occupational health services; and where staff are encouraged and enabled to take more responsibility for their health.
The current work plan includes: the identification, production, promotion and mobilisation of good practice; supporting the 60 most challenged NHS organisations that could release the biggest cash savings, with a further 45 being added; developing performance in parts of the NHS with particular challenges (eg ambulance service and mental health trusts); and supporting the development of occupational health services. Implementing the five HICs is a matter for individual NHS organisations. The department has been monitoring progress through regular contractual reviews of the support being provided to the NHS by NHS Employers.
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations the Department of Health has received on access to and provision of physiotherapy services to NHS staff.[HL6483]
Earl Howe: The department has received representations on access and provision of physiotherapy services to National Health Service staff from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Fit enough for Patients? An Audit of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Services for NHS Staff, published on 13 March 2013, is its review of how much progress has been made in implementing the Boorman recommendations from his report on NHS health and well-being, published in 2009.
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department of Health will ask the NHS Commissioning Board to include staff health and well-being in the next iteration of Everyone Counts: Planning for Patients.[HL6484]
Earl Howe:Everyone Counts: Planning for Patients is a document developed by NHS England. Its content is a matter for it.
NHS England has advised that Everyone Counts: Planning for Patients 2013-14 sets out the planning framework for National Health Service commissioners. It is focused on improving outcomes and delivering the rights and pledges under the NHS constitution. In doing so it sets out that all staff should follow the values set out in the NHS constitution and also within Compassion in Practice, the Chief Nursing Officer’s new vision and strategy. This includes six areas of action which include improving staff experience.
NHS organisations, which are responsible for the health and well-being of their staff, continue to be supported by NHS Employers through a programme of work monitored under its contract with the department. This programme includes: the identification, production, promotion and mobilisation of good practice; supporting 60 trusts to develop improvement plans for reducing sickness absence and improving staff health and well-being (now extended to another 45 trusts); developing performance in parts of the NHS with particular challenges (eg ambulance services, mental health trusts) and supporting the development of occupational health services.
Asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the implementation of the recommendations of the Boorman review “NHS Health and Wellbeing”.[HL6606]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered establishing under the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention programme a dedicated workstream aimed at improving staff health and wellbeing.[HL6607]
Earl Howe: The department has been keeping implementation of the Boorman review “NHS Health and Wellbeing” under regular review through its contract with NHS Employers. It has been working with appropriate experts to support the National Health Service to improve staff health and wellbeing using five high impact changes (HICs) designed as a result of Boorman.
These HICs are developing local evidence-based improvement plans, with strong visible leadership, supported by improved management capability, with access to better, local, high-quality accredited occupational health services, where staff are encouraged and enabled to take more responsibility for their health, as part of a specific workforce workstream under the department’s national Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention programme (QIPP).