HC Deb 29 March 1999 vol 328 cc498-9W
Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the additional demands upon health services in Greenwich and Lewisham arising from the millennium celebrations; and what additional resources have been made available to the relevant health authorities to meet this demand. [79313]

Mr. Denham

The National Health Service Executive's London regional office is assessing the mechanisms needed to ensure the NHS and partner organisations are well placed to manage the Millennium.

Resources will be given to any affected Health Authorities to cover the cost of additional inpatients admitted to local hospitals from other areas.

Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with(a) Bexley and Greenwich Health Authority and (b) Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust regarding the millennium celebrations; and if he will make a statement. [79312]

Mr. Denham

The National Health Service Executive's London regional office is in close and regular contact with local health authorities and NHS trusts, as well as local organisations and stakeholders, on the subject of the millennium celebrations, and will ensure local plans are robust.

Mr. Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the additional demands upon the London Ambulance Service arising from the millennium celebrations; and what additional resources have been made available to the service for this purpose. [79314]

Mr. Denham

The London Ambulance Service is forecasting a 12 per cent. increase in workload in December 1999 and January 2000 over the corresponding months this winter. It is difficult to forecast demand for the night of 31 December/1 January as it is not yet entirely clear what major events will be taking place.

The London Ambulance Service has drawn up proposals to maintain and improve its response to emergencies over the next 12 months, including the Millennium celebrations and is in discussion with health authorities and London regional office of the National Health Service Executive on the implementation and funding of those measures necessary to achieve this.