HC Deb 16 March 2000 vol 346 cc303-4W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many residents he estimates were suffering from(a) sexually transmitted diseases and (b) AIDS/HIV infections in the NHS London region in the current financial year, and in each of the last 10 financial years; [113810]

(2) how many people were being treated by the NHS for (a) sexually transmitted diseases and (b) AIDS/HIV, in the London Region in (i) the current financial year and (ii) each of the last 10 financial years; [113811]

(3) how much has been allocated by the NHS to care for and treat (a) sexually transmitted diseases and (b) AIDS/HIV in the NHS London region for (i) the next financial year, (ii) the current financial year and (iii) each of the last 10 financial years. [113812]

Yvette Cooper

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: We are unable to provide an estimate as data from Genito Urinary Medicine clinics, where most sexually transmitted diseases are treated, do not include residence information.

Diagnosed HIV infected people resident in London form 60 per cent. of the total country-wide and, assuming this applies to the undiagnosed fraction as well, would result in 17,500 London residents who are HIV infected, about one third of whom have not yet had their infection diagnosed.

Using data from the annual survey of prevalent HIV infection and the unlinked anonymous surveys the following estimates have been produced from 1995 onwards. Approximately one third of these infections will be undiagnosed. These figures are based on annual surveys.

Number
At end of:
1998 17,500
1997 16,000
1996 15,500

Source:

PHLS (earlier data are not available and data by financial year are not available)

As statistical returns from genitourinary medicine clinics provide information on new diagnoses rather than the number of individuals treated we are unable to answer this specific question. However, readily available data on diagnoses are as follows and provide an indication of patient numbers but individuals may have more than one infection. Data for 1999 are not available yet.

Diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases in the NHS London Region
Calendar year Number of STD diagnoses (excluding HIV/AIDS)
1995 143,207
1996 143,654
1997 154,305
1998 157,324

Source:

PHLS

There are no current HIV prevalence data collected regionally or nationally for financial years. The Annual Survey of Prevalent HIV infections that are diagnosed will be able to give data for 1999 calendar year but this will not be available until later in the summer of 2000.

This annual prevalence survey of HIV infected people receiving care began to collect data nationally in 1995 and the estimated figures for London adjusted for under reporting give the following totals.

HIV infected people treated calendar year in London
Number
1995 10,600
1996 10,600
1997 11,500
1998 13,000

Separate allocations are not made for sexually transmitted diseases. The HIV/AIDS treatment and care allocation to London health authorities for 1996–97 to 1999–2000 is as shown. Prior to 1996–97 allocations were made to regional health authorities and information on London HAs is not held centrally. Allocations for 2000–01 have not yet been determined.

£ million
Allocations to London HAs
1996–97 134.8
1997–98 144.4
1998–99 163.6
1999–2000 164.3

The movement between years reflects adjustments to the baseline allocations in year as well as the annual cash increase.