HC Deb 14 June 2004 vol 422 cc682-4W
Ms Walley:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on health in Stoke-on-Trent, N orth in each of the last seven years. [177624]

Dr. Ladyman:

The information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure per weighted head of the population in the Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area. which includes the constituency of Stoke-on Trent North, has increased from £604.42 in 1997–98 to £910.52 in 2002–03, the latest year available. This does not represent the total expenditure per head, as an element of health expenditure cannot be identified by SHA area.

Ms Walley:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to NHS waiting list times in the last seven years for residents of Stoke-on-Trent. North. [177625]

Dr. Ladyman:

The information is not available in the form requested. The tables show the number of patients waiting for in-patient treat meat and outpatient appointments at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire National Health Service Trust (formerly North Staffordshire Hospital NITS Trust) in each year since 1997.

Months waiting to be seen
As at March Total number of patients 0–2 3–5 6–8 9–11 12–14 15–17
1997 6,988 3,697 1,858 958 382 93 0
1998 9,877 4,984 2,333 1450 718 376 16
1999 7,051 3,502 1,575 898 557 360 159
2000 7,134 3,421 1,623 882 647 450 111
2001 5,583 2,907 1,371 623 335 261 86
2002 7,365 3.806 1,996 1,067 496 0 0
2003 8,049 3,926 2,217 1,311 595 0 0
2004 6,237 4,065 1,615 557 0 0 0
Source:
Department of Health KH07.
Out-patient waiting lists by provider for the trust serving Stoke-on Trent, North—General practitioner ref coral to consultant waiting list in weeks
As at March Not seen 13 to 25 Not seen 26 plus
1997 2,586 1,380
1998 3,369 2,845
1999 4,129 3,910
2000 4658 3537
2001 4,134 2,861
2002 3,197 0
2003 1,724 0
2004 540 0
Source:
Department of Health QM08.

Ms Walley:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior citizens in Stoke on-Trent, North have access to free eye tests. [177626]

Dr. Ladyman:

Data for the number of sight tests by constituency or by the number of senior citizens are not collected centrally.

The total population for those aged 60 and over in Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) is about 320,450 All people aged 60 and over are eligible for national health service sight tests.

The total number of NHS sight tests paid for by Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA in the year 2002–03 for the 'aged 60 and over' category was 138,040.

Ms Walley:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on funding allocated through the LIFT programme to improve primary care in Stoke-on-Trent, North. [177627]

Dr. Ladyman:

Funding for premises development, whether through local investment finance trusts (LIFT) or other means, is not allocated directly to projects by the Department. It is allocated to groups of primary care trusts (PCTs), which must decide what their priorities are and how they intend to spend their allocation.

My hon. Friend's constituency is served by North Stoke PCT, which is one of four PCTs collaborating in the North Staffordshire LIFT project. North Stoke PCT will be able to provide new primary care centres in Bucknall, Cobridge and Packmoor. The North Staffordshire LIFT project has an estimated capital value of £20 million, of which some £5.8 million is accounted for by the North Stoke elements.

In addition, the Department has made available capital funding to help kick start LIFT projects. The North Staffordshire LIFT project has been allocated £5.4 million to date. North Stoke PCT is using its share of these funds to purchase sites for the health centres at Bucknall, Cobridge and Packmoor. It has also used them to purchase temporary premises to serve the people of Packmoor until the permanent health centre there is operational. These temporary premises opened in April 2003 and have already significantly improved access to health services for local people.