HC Deb 08 November 1983 vol 48 cc52-3W
Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out the number of births in England and Wales to resident girls aged 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 years for each of the years from 1969 to 1982; and if he will also show the rate of births to these age groups per 1,000 girls.

Mr. John Patten

The following table shows the information requested. The figures may include a very small number of births occurring in England and Wales to mothers whose usual residence was outside the country.

these named operations normally form an integral part can be estimated centrally, for the years 1960 to 1980, from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry, a one-in-ten sample of inpatient records from NHS non-psychiatric hospitals. Complete records are held by Regional Health Authorities on Regional Hospital Activity Analysis systems.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost in the year 1982–83 of free prescription of colostomy and ileostomy products.

Mr. John Patten

The cost in 1982–83 of prescriptions dispensed by chemists for colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy products was £13.2 million, in England. This does not include professional fees paid to chemists; it is not possible to identify these separately from fees paid on other prescriptions.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider compiling a voluntary register of all ileostomists and colostomists in the United Kingdom.

Mr. John Patten

We are not yet persuaded of the need for either a central voluntary register or local ones. If, however, the hon. Member would care to write to me explaining the purpose of his request, we will give it further consideration.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make financial and other support available to the Ileostomy Association of the United Kingdom, the Colostomy Welfare Group and the Urinary Conduit Association.

Mr. John Patten

Any assistance from the Department would he in the form of grants under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. A grant of £3,000 was made to the Ileostomist Association for each of the years 1980 and 1981.

It is open to any of the associations to apply for a grant though demands on the funds available under the section 64 budget are currently heavy.