§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what training and equipment for response to a
General medical practitioners 1 and partnerships in England and London DHSC as at 1 October 1997 and 31 March 2002 Numbers (headcount) October 1997 March 2002 All practitioners (excluding GP retainers) of which: unrestricted principals (UPEs)2 Partnerships of UPEs All practitioners (excluding GP retainers) of which: unrestricted principals( UPEs)2 Partnerships of UPEs England Total 29,389 27,099 9,102 30,858 27,956 8,825 of which: London DHSC Total 4,532 3,849 1,758 4,549 3,970 1,691 Note:-
1 All practitioners (excluding GP retainers) include UPEs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (para. 52 SFA) and PMS 0 GP retainers were first collected in the 1999 census, for reasons of comparability they have been excluded from the table.
2 UPEs include CMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.
Source:
Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
948Wchemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack is provided for paramedics and other first-response medical personnel; and if he will make a statement; [103435]
(2) what funding, training and expertise have been made available to ensure acute primary care units are fully prepared to handle (a) casualties of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident and (b) mass casualties; and if he will make a statement. [103434]
§ Mr. HuttonSince 11 September 2001, national health service preparations have been stepped up to ensure we are as prepared as we can be in responding to a range of possible new threats, such as the deliberate release of chemical or biological agents or incidents associated with radiological or nuclear hazards.
The NHS has increased its preparedness by stockpiling medical equipment, antidotes, antibiotics and vaccines. The Department of Health has issued specific guidance to the NHS on the public health response to the deliberate release of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, mass decontamination and mass casualties. New protective suits and associated mobile decontamination units have been for use by ambulance and accident and emergency staff working on the decontamination of patients alongside appropriate training for their use.
The Department of Health has made available through the emergency planning section of its website www.doh.gov.uk/epcu a comprehensive package of guidance for clinicians on dealing with the consequences of deliberate release. This information is regularly updated. The website contains a link to the Public Health Laboratory Service website www.phls.org.uk which provides additional clinical and other information.