HC Deb 02 June 1998 vol 313 cc179-80W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure that those patients who need assistance in feeding themselves obtain it; and if he will make a statement. [43459]

Mr. Milburn

It is the responsibility of clinical staff in hospitals to identify the needs of individual patients, including identifying people who need help with eating and drinking, for whatever reason, and the Department has issued guidance on meeting the dietary needs of people in hospital.

The Department commissioned further work by the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne to look at the whole issue of meeting the dietary needs of people in hospitals. We issued this work, "Eating Matters", in November 1997 and it was sent to all National Health Service trusts.

We are strongly committed to improving the health and social care services provided to older people. In response to the recent "Dignity on the Ward" campaign by The Observer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has commissioned HAS 2000 to examine the care which acute hospitals provide for older people. HAS 2000 are expected to look at the problem nationwide, and are examining eight hospitals in greater detail. They will report directly to my right hon. Friend, who plans to publish their report. The study is being undertaken between January and June 1998.

Total number of juniors North Thames Complying1 with New Deal Per cent. Total number of juniors South Thames Complying1 with New Deal Per cent.
September 1991 5,101 3,086 60 3,372 2,481 74
February 1992 5,051 3,078 61 3,358 2,310 69
August 1992 5,144 3,757 73 3,562 2,638 74
March 1993 5,147 4,294 83 3,481 2,705 78
September 1993 5,321 4,667 88 3,606 3,037 84
March 1994 5,482 4,115 75 3,639 2,324 64
September 1994 5,388 4,132 77 3,821 3,135 82
December 1994 5,478 4,760 87 3,652 3,114 85
September 1995 5,587 3,813 68 3,858 2,699 70
March 1996 5,558 4,091 74 4,039 3,124 77
September 1996 5,648 4,378 78 3,976 3,188 80
March 1997 5,734 4,816 84 4,280 3,567 83
September 1997 5,754 4,906 86 4,190 3,606 86
March 1998 5,756 4,856 86 4,360 3,936 90
1 These figures represent hours' targets prevailing during the period; after December 1994 returns were altered to emphasise compliance with actual hours of work rather than contracted hours of duty
1991–1994 (non-compliance with contracted duty hours on-call greater than 72)
1995–98(non-compliance with actual hours of work on-call greater than 56)