HC Deb 24 June 1998 vol 314 cc524-5W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated within the NHS in the last 12 months who were suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. [47108]

Ms Jowell

Information on in-patient treatment for asbestos-related illnesses for the latest year available, 1995–96, is shown in the table. It is based on finished consultant episodes (FCEs), which represent the number of episodes of care under individual consultants. The same person may be counted more than once if they have more than one episode of care.

Ordinary admissions and day cases combined: completed episodes by selected primary diagnoses (given by ICD-10 codes) National Health Service hospitals in England, 1995–96
Primary diagnosis FCEs
J61 Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibers 154
C45.0 Mesothelioma of pleura 972
J92.0 Pleural plaque with presence of asbestos 61

Note: Data are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data

Source: Hospital episode statistics, Department of Health