| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Flags
Lord Kilclooney asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 29 March (WA 310), to what department of the Government the veterinary services building on the Mall, Armagh city, belongs; and whether the Union flag is flown at this building on the appropriate dates. [HL3326]
Lord Rooker: The veterinary services building on the Mall, Armagh city, is owned by the Department of Finance and Personnel.
The Union flag is flown at the above building on the appropriate dates, as specified in the Flags Regulations.
Forensic Science Laboratory
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
In what way and by whom the Forensic Science Laboratory in Carrickfergus is accredited; and what is the significance of the accreditation to the provision of evidence in criminal cases. [HL3448]
Lord Rooker: Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the latest ISO 17025-2005 standard. UKAS accreditation is voluntary except in the case of uploading DNA profiles to the national DNA database, and, although accreditation is an assurance of a recognised standard, it is not a pre-requisite for providing forensic science evidence in criminal cases.
Some forensic science disciplines are not intrinsically suited to being UKAS accredited due to their complex and varied methodologies. FSNI's range of accreditation is, however, one of the widest of all forensic science providers.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Forensic Science Laboratory in Carrickfergus has in the past had its accreditation withdrawn; if so, for what reason; for how long; and with what effect. [HL3449]
9 May 2007 : Column WA263
Lord Rooker: Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) has twice had its accreditation suspended. On the first occasion, in June 2001, FSNI voluntarily suspended accreditation for the physical methods section in the laboratory. Physical methods do glass and paint comparisons. The suspension was as a result of non-adherence to the documented quality system within that area. No other areas were suspended at that time, and UKAS accreditation for physical methods was reinstated in March 2002.
As accreditation is not a pre-requisite to practice as a forensic science provider, there was no effect on the work done by that section during suspension.
In May 2002, FSNI had the testing aspect of accreditation suspended following a UKAS inspection. Accreditation for calibration was not suspended. This was as a result of a number of quality management related issues, including using the UKAS logo on reports for physical methods cases during the time that accreditation was suspended. The process of re-accreditation began in December 2004, when those sections put forward for accreditation were successful. Full accreditation was completed in April 2006.
Freedom of Information
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in relation to possible amendments to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, they have been made aware of any national legislature which has exempted itself by conferring an immunity from the effects of freedom of information legislation. [HL3419]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): Several national legislatures, including the United States Congress, are not covered by their countries' freedom of information (FOI) legislation. The Government do not have an exhaustive list, and the circumstances will depend on FOI systems in the specific countries.
Gambling: Casinos
Lord Roberts of Conwy asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by Lord Davies of Oldham on 18 April (WA 65) and 26 April (WA 155), why they are unable to state within what timescale they expect to make an announcement on the action they will take following the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the draft Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Casino Premises Licences) Order 2007. [HL3519]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government are considering the implications of the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on 28 March, in respect of the Gambling (Geographical. Distribution of Casino
9 May 2007 : Column WA264
Health: Dentistry
Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people were employed to provide dental public health advice by each primary care trust in each year since 1992. [HL3121]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Data for before 2000-01 are not available. Tables have been placed in the Library showing data on consultants who provide dental public health advice, as at 30 September, for 2001-06.
Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the cost implications of the Chief Dental Officer's advice that all endodontic instruments should be treated as single-use; and how these will be reflected in the value of band 3 units of dental activity. [HL3431]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Analysis of historic treatment patterns suggests that, for the majority of dentists, the introduction of single-use reamers and files for endodontic treatment is likely to have a relatively small impact on overall practice expenses. Costs will vary, however, between practitioners, and the department is undertaking further work to understand better the range of potential costs.
This work will enable the department to consider what advice may need to be given to primary care trusts on additional costs in 2007-08 and what proposals may need to be made in evidence to the review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration.
Health: Hospital Treatment
Lord MacKenzie of Culkein asked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements exist with the devolved Administrations so that patients, for example in Scotland, may choose treatment in an English hospital, or vice versa. [HL3486]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Arrangements are predicated on the existence of a contract between the local commissioning authority (primary care trust in England or health board in Scotland) and the healthcare provider. However, the opportunity for a patient to choose where their primary care professional refers them for a first outpatient appointment, including access to the Choosing Your Hospital National Menu, exists only for National Health Service patients resident in England. Similar arrangements exist for NHS patients in Wales.
9 May 2007 : Column WA265
Health: Incontinence Items
Lord Roberts of Conwy asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the anticipated annual savings in the provision of stoma and incontinence items and other related services at primary care level in the National Health Service following the implementation of the review arrangements under Part IX of the Drugs Tariff. [HL3592]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The Drug Tariff lists more than 5,800 incontinence and stoma appliances provided by 68 suppliers. The annual cost to primary care is about £169 million a year.
The proposals set out in the consultation document Arrangements for the Reimbursement Pricing of Stoma and Incontinence Appliances under Part IX of the Drug Tariff could deliver savings of £27 million per annum to primary care.
Regarding the proposals set out in Arrangements for the Remuneration of Services Relating to Appliances within Part IX of the Drug Tariff, the department is not anticipating any saving for primary care.
Health: Patients
Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many male patients were treated in geriatric wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3404]
How many female patients were treated in geriatric wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3405]
9 May 2007 : Column WA266
How many male patients were treated in general surgery wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3406]
How many female patients were treated in general surgery wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3407]
How many male patients were treated in hospital wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3382]
How many female patients were treated in hospital wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3383]
How many male patients were treated in orthopaedic wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3384]
How many female patients were treated in orthopaedic wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3385]
How many male patients were treated in cardiac wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively; and [HL3386]
How many female patients were treated in cardiac wards in the National Health Service in England and Wales during 2005 and 2006 respectively. [HL3387]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Data are not collected on admission to different types of hospital ward. The following table shows the number of admissions of male and female patients to the care of consultants in different specialties in the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06.
9 May 2007 : Column WA267
9 May 2007 : Column WA268
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |