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Patient Costs (Reimbursement)
Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how, by whom and over what time period hospitals will be reimbursed for patients receiving out-of-area treatment. [98503]
Mr. Denham:
Under the Out of Area Treatment (OAT) arrangements, each National Health Service trust has a main commissioner. The main commissioner health authority is funded for OATs through a non-recurrent adjustment to allocations as part of the overall process for setting cash limits for the financial year. NHS trusts are funded by their main commissioners.
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Mr. Brady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received seeking the merger of the Christie NHS Trust with any other NHS trust. [98834]
Mr. Denham:
There have been no such representations and, as far as I am aware, there are no plans to merge the Christie Hospital National Health Service Trust with any other NHS trust in the North West region.
Mr. Brady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what criteria are used by his Department to determine if the chairman of an NHS trust should be appointed for (a) three years and (b) a shorter period; [98833]
Ms Stuart:
The length of appointment for members of National Health Service boards will depend upon a range of factors, including the length of time already served by a re-appointed candidate; when the terms of office of other board members are due to come to an end; and any plans relating to the future of the body involved. Each case will be looked at on its merits, the decision taken depending upon the different circumstances involved.
(2) which NHS trust chairmen have been reappointed for a second term of office of (a) three years and (b) two years in the last six months. [98832]
| Chair | NHS trust | Appointment period |
|---|---|---|
| Three year appointments for re-appointed NHS Trust Chairs | ||
| Anthony Woodbridge | Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2002 |
| Dianne Jeffrey | Community Health Care Service (North Derbyshire) | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2002 |
| Peter Mount | Salford Royal Hospitals | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2002 |
| Two year appointments for re-appointed NHS Trust Chairs | ||
| Peter Bagnall | Oxford Radcliffe Hospital | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| Alan Connolly | Rockingham Forest | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| Christine Field | Mid-Sussex | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| Peter Suddock | Dudley Group of Hospitals | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| John Wells | James Paget Healthcare | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| Audrey Stenner | Papworth Hospital | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| John Hemingway | Dewsbury Healthcare | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| Brian Nelson | Hereford Hospitals | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
| Helen Busteed | Trafford Healthcare | 1 November 1999- 31 October 2001 |
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Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients have had to sleep overnight in beds in accident and emergency bays at Broomfield hospital, Chelmsford, in the last 36 days; [98521]
(2) how many patients have had to sleep overnight on trolleys in the Accident and Emergency Department of Broomfield hospital, Chelmsford, in the last 36 days; [98520]
(3) what has been the (a) longest time and (b) average time patients have had to sleep (i) on trolleys or (ii) in beds in the Accident and Emergency Department at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, in the last 36 days. [98522]
Ms Stuart: The information requested is not available.
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to ensure no patients have had to sleep (a) on trolleys or (b) in beds in the accident and emergency department of Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. [98523]
Ms Stuart: The winter plan developed by the North Essex health economy has been assessed as low risk by Eastern Regional Office in all areas monitored. This indicates that plans are in place to ensure that there is adequate provision to deal with anticipated demand. The National Health Service trust is working closely with social services and primary care to ensure that this is implemented.
An important part of this is an assessment unit funded from accident and emergency modernisation funds which the NHS trust is to open in its accident and emergency department. Total allocation to Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust is £845,000.
Intensive Care Beds
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds and high dependency beds there were within the NHS in each of the last three years; and how many of each category he expects to be maintained over the next two years. [98755]
Ms Stuart: Information on the average daily number of beds by ward classification is included in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England" copies of which are available in the Library.
A ward classed as 'intensive care' may contain high dependency beds and general beds depending on the arrangements for critical care services within individual National Health Service trusts. The figures therefore overstate the number of intensive care beds. For this reason, we have piloted a new census focusing on adult intensive care and high dependency beds, the results of which we will publish in due course.
Health authorities and NHS trusts are finalising plans for more adult intensive care and high dependency beds for this year than last, particularly over the crucial winter period.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the drugs for which he proposes to set a
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maximum price using powers under the Health Act 1999; and if orders will be preceded by a period of consultation. [98753]
Mr. Denham:
The powers to control prices of National Health Service medicines are contained in sections 33 and 34 of the Health Act 1999. Section 33 may be used where there is a voluntary scheme, such as the new Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, to limit the prices charged by members of such a scheme. There are no proposals to set any maximum prices under this provision. The powers in section 34 may be used only in respect of those suppliers and manufacturers who elect not to become members of a voluntary scheme.
A formal consultation with the industry body as required by the Health Act has been completed with the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry. In addition, we are also consulting the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers and the British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers. We will be introducing secondary legislation to give effect to the powers contained in section 34 of the Health Act 1999. Such powers will ensure equity of treatment for those companies who choose to join the 1999 PPRS and those who do not.
So far all but two companies affected by the price reduction in the voluntary scheme have elected to join the 1999 PPRS. It remains open to those companies to change their elections and join the 1999 PPRS. Otherwise they will be subject to the provisions of the statutory price control measures which will be introduced.
Statutory powers to control NHS prices are not in place and it is not certain which, if any, companies will be subject to them. In the case of a company falling within such powers there will be additional consultation with the company. Therefore I am unable to list the drugs which would be affected by any statutory price control. If specific drugs do become subject to statutory price control then we will publish the details of those drugs at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the Statutory Instruments introduced by his Department since May 1997 have had the EU as their legislative source. [98754]
Ms Stuart:
Sixteen Statutory Instruments introduced by the Department since May 1997 have had the European Union as their legislative source.
Mr. Crausby:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage manufacturing industry in the North West Region. [98669]
Mr. Caborn:
Earlier this month my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced a number of new initiatives which will assist in the
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creation and development of companies: Regional Capital Venture Funds; a Phoenix Fund, the UK High Technology Fund and Enterprise Grants.
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