HC Deb 28 February 1997 vol 291 cc457-8W
Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the need for a Scottish centre for the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders; what funding he has provided since 1992 for such a service; and if he will make a statement; [17996]

(2) what plans he has to ensure continued provision for a national diagnosis and management centre for sleep disorders; and if he will make a statement; [17997]

(3) if he will make a statement on the implications of the closure of the sleep laboratory at the royal infirmary of Edinburgh; [18002]

(4) what is the current availability of continuous positive airways pressure units and accessories in the NHS in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [18004]

Lord James Douglas Hamilton

I am glad to confirm that the royal infirmary of Edinburgh NHS trust will not be closing its sleep laboratory. I am pleased that the laboratory has secured sufficient funding of £530,000 to enable it to continue in operation after 1 April 1997.

The assessment of need for sleep disorder services is a matter for health boards to determine. A Scottish needs assessment programme report on obstructive sleep apnoea and allied disorders is to be published shortly. In the light of the report, health boards, other purchasers and interested providers will wish to assess the appropriate level of sleep disorder services required and how best to deliver care locally and nationally, for patients across the length and breadth of Scotland.

The current availability of continuous positive airways

£ million
1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97
England
Housing corporation net approved development programme 1,154 1,639 2,306 1,795 1,487 1,149 1,030
Housing annual capital guidelines 1,396 1,345 1,290 1,378 1,038 994 943
Estate action 180 268 348 357 373 316 257
Cash incentive scheme1 31 30 60 60
Estates renewal challenge fund 30
Other local authority2 121 187 80 45 39 30 30
Management and maintenance allowances for local authority stock 2,955 3,070 3,206 3,266 3,298 3,324 3,364
Housing action trusts 10 27 78 92 93 88
London
Housing corporation approved development programme n/a 612 701 690 553 443 416
Housing annual capital guidelines 473 451 454 474 355 321 299
Estate action 33 58 86 85 98 88 87
Cash incentive scheme1 21 16 33 34
Estates renewal challenge fund 12
Other local authority2 86 100 8 3 12 10 10
Management and maintenance allowances for local authority stock 772 820 857 912 940 958 960
Housing action trusts 12 34 43 47 38
West Midlands
Housing corporation approved development programme n/a 112 154 162 134 100 88
Housing annual capital guidelines 122 120 120 130 101 102 100
Estate action 25 35 41 47 49 41 25
Cash incentive scheme1 1 1 2 4
Estates renewal challenge fund 8

pressure units and accessories in the NHS in Scotland is a matter for health boards and providers and information is not held centrally. Sleep disorder services at the royal infirmary's sleep laboratory were purchased on a national basis until 31 March 1996 when the purchasing of services was devolved to health boards. Funding from 1991–92 to 1995–96 is set out in the list.

  • 1991–92: £50,000
  • 1992–93: £55,000
  • 1993–94: £296,000
  • 1994–95: £287,000
  • 1995–96: £519,000

Forward to