§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what local pilot schemes he funds in relation to(a) congestive heart failure and (b) asthma in London; and when he will receive reports on their progress. [156102]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 29 March 2001]The National Service Framework for coronary heart disease sets out standards and models of care for heart failure treatment which health authorities together with local stakeholders will be developing as part of the local implementation of the National Service Framework. All health authorities have addressed the issue of heart failure through their three year local delivery plans.
As part of this roll-out-local pilot schemes are being developed in London. One pilot project that will be specifically dealing with both congestive heart failure and asthma is the health networks initiative. This pilot project will look at new models of care for treating chronic illness in the Waltham Forest area of London. The project is jointly managed by the Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority, Forest Healthcare National Health Service Trust and the Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone Primary Care Group. Congestive heart failure and asthma were chosen as the most suitable to consider for new ways of care management. The funding for this project is being provided by regional primary care money. It is hoped that the first pilot scheme will commence in June of this year. It is not clear when a report will be available.
In addition heart failure clinic pilots have been developed at the Whittington Hospital, St. George's Hospital and Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust.
36WThere are also a number of local pilot schemes for asthma in London which are outlined as follows:
The Bronchial Boogie Project in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority. This project will provide singing and breathing tuition for young asthmatics and may include tuition with wind instruments and time with local youth rap and other bands. The project will provide professionals with an opportunity to impart general and respiratory specific health education and for the young people to teach the professionals good practice from the patients' point of view. This project is being funded through health action zone money. The report is expected in March 2002.
Free to breathe pilots have been set up by both Camden and Islington health authority and Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority. Each of the pilots has been taken forward by local primary care groups. The pilots were set up last year to improve the care and treatment of patient; with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These projects have been funded through health authority money. The Camden and Islington health authority report is currently available. The report by Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster will be completed during 2002.