§ Mr. CongdonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress his Department has made in assessing the cost to the NHS of skin diseases caused by certain types of latex surgical gloves; and if he will make a statement; [6316]
(2) if the Medical Devices Agency has now issued a device bulletin to the health service in respect of latex sensitivity. [6318]
§ Mr. HoramThe Medical Devices Agency expects to publish the device bulletin on latex sensitivity in the health care setting early in the new year. Information on the cost of particular skin diseases to the national health service is not available centrally.
Finished consultant episodes—ordinary admissions and day cases combined—National Health Service hospitals—England–1993–94 All ages 0–4 5–14 15–44 45–64 65–74 75–84 85 and over Male 317 5 45 136 82 41 7 1 Female 2,296 9 135 1,386 604 134 26 2 Total 2,613 14 180 1,522 686 175 33 3 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics.
The Department's principal channel of support to voluntary organisations is the section 64 general scheme. Lupus UK, the main charity providing help for sufferers from systemic lupus erythematosus in the United Kingdom, is currently receiving a core grant under the scheme totalling £24,000 spread over the three years 1994–95 to 1996–97 towards its administrative costs. Information on grants awarded specifically to self-help groups is not separately identified.
The Department of Health is not currently funding research into systemic lupus erythematosus. The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.