HC Deb 19 July 2001 vol 372 cc436-7W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the terms of reference, work programme and schedule for the national service framework reviews. [4081]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 17 July 2001]: The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), with the Audit Commission—and Social Services Inspectorate where appropriate—will review the implementation of each national service framework (NSF) at an appropriate time following their publication to allow for a period of early implementation prior to review.

NSFs which have already been published are: Mental Health NSF, September 1999; Coronary Heart Disease NSF, March 2000; and Older People NSF, March 2001.

The next NSF due to be published in 2001 is the Diabetes NSF. We have announced further NSFs on Renal Services, Children's Services, and Long Term Conditions.

CHI will publish details of the broad scope and timing of each review once this has been agreed.

CHI and the Audit Commission have already undertaken a review of the implementation of the Calman-Hine/Cameron reports on commissioning cancer services in England and Wales. The report is expected in the autumn.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the implications of the National Service Framework for Older People set out in paragraph 29, page 141 of the NSF; and what plans his Department has to analyse the impact of them. [4873]

Jacqui Smith

A general assessment of implications for wider areas of education and training was provided within the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. A more detailed assessment and analysis to ensure achievement of the NSF milestones will be undertaken nationally by the National Workforce Development Board, informed by the Care Group Workforce Team for older people to be established shortly, and working with education and training bodies. Regional directors of workforce development and local workforce development confederations working with local education and training organisations will play a local role.