§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent in the current and preceding two years on CCTV and other security improvements in hospitals in the south-west; and how much on improved ambulance communications in Avon. [155375]
§ Ms StuartAs part of the national programme to improve accident and emergency services funded from the Capital Modernisation Fund in 1998–99 and 1999–2000, £417,000 was invested in providing improved security for staff and patients through the provision of CCTV systems in a number of hospitals across the region. £8,000 was spent separately at Crewkerne and Wincanton hospitals. Other schemes funded in this programme included investment on CCTV and security improvements, however, it is not possible to identify separately the expenditure on this element in these schemes. Other improvements to hospital security will have been made locally from National Health Service trusts' block capital allocations.
In 1999–2000, Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust received £190,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the introduction of an automatic vehicle location system to help improve ambulance response times, and a mobile data system which will provide the platform for telemedicine for better diagnosis and care of patients.