HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 cc216-7W
Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron) of 4 March,Official Report, column 68, if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting in April 1996 with the National Kidney Federation about the national review of renal services; and when his Department's renal services review will be published. [30688]

Mr. Horam

I had a constructive meeting with the National Kidney Federation on 2 April at which its concerns about the provision of renal services were discussed. I was able to inform it that the national renal review, and purchasing guidelines for health authorities based on the review, would be published soon. The review and purchasing guidelines were published on 7 May.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans his Department has to consult patients in the contracting process in the implementation of the renal services review; [30219]

(2) if he will publish a timetable for the implementation of the renal services review; [30220]

(3) what steps he is taking to ensure the recommendations outlined in the renal services review are fully implemented. [30221]

Mr. Horam

The renal review, which we published on 7 May, makes several recommendations about the development of services for patients with renal failure. On the same day the national health service executive published guidelines, EL(96)35, for health authorities drawing attention to the important issues raised in the review and advising how these might best be tackled. The majority of recommendations are being taken forward locally by purchasing authorities and national health service trusts in accordance with local needs and priorities which take account of the views of patients locally. Copies of the review will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions he has made for extra funding for renal services in the United Kingdom. [30222]

Mr. Horam

In England health authorities are given general allocations for hospital and community health services to purchase health care services for their resident population. It is for individual health authorities in consultation with the providers of services to decide the level and type of services purchased, taking account of local circumstances and national policies and priorities. Questions relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Staff out on secondment or on loan to other Government Departments, on maternity leave more than three months, or on unpaid career breaks/study leave are excluded.