§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) children and (b) adults in (i) Coventry, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) the United Kingdom receive treatment for cystic fibrosis and conditions resulting from cystic fibrosis. [127449]
§ Mr. DenhamIt is estimated from the incidence data in the Morbidity Study of General Practice for 1991–92 and data from the mid-1992 census estimates, that 3,725 patients in England and Wales consulted their general practice with cystic fibrosis. These figures are the latest available. This information cannot be used to estimate the number of general practice consultations in the West Midlands region or Coventry.
The figures in the table show the number of hospital admissions in 1998–99 in Coventry, the West Midlands region and England, where the primary diagnosis was cystic fibrosis. Information about hospital admissions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations.
Area of residence Children (Aged 0–17) Adults (18+) Total Coventry 24 7 31 West Midlands 460 257 717 England (area of treatment) 5,065 4,109 9,164 The databases available to the Department do not 366W record whether one particular condition has resulted from another, and figures about other conditions caused by cystic fibrosis are therefore not available.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice he has issued to hospitals on dealing with patients who receive treatment as children but have it discontinued when they reach adulthood due to insufficient resources; [127445]
(2) what provision is made for young adults with cystic fibrosis when they cease to qualify for treatment in children's wards; [127447]
(3) if he will make a statement on the treatment received by people with cystic fibrosis when they cease to qualify for treatment in children's wards. [127446]
§ Mr. DenhamFor health care to be effective National Health Service commissioners will need to ensure that there are clear pathways to provide a continuity of care taking patients from childhood, into adolescence and beyond. This is particularly important in chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis which have benefited from advances in medical science and where patients now survive into adulthood. The new arrangements for commissioning specialised services will develop a more systematic approach to commissioning that will ensure there are properly co-ordinated arrangements for the delivery of services for all cystic fibrosis patients.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what resources are available for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and conditions resulting from cystic fibrosis for(a) children and (b) adults in (i) Coventry, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) the United Kingdom; [127450]
(2) what assessment he has made of a reasonable distance to travel for treatment for people with cystic fibrosis; [127448]
§ Mr. DenhamPatients with cystic fibrosis and conditions resulting from cystic fibrosis have access to an extensive range of diagnostic and remedial resources both in hospitals and in primary care. For some treatments patients may need access to specialist skills or equipment that are best provided in a smaller number of centres where clinicians can regularly see a large number of patients. In these circumstances patients may need to travel to gain access to that expertise. The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme, which is part of the National Health Service Low Income Scheme, is available to assist those who are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.