§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the estimated costs to the National Health Service of treating asthma in(a) hospital expenditure, (b) primary care expenditure and (c) pharmaceutical expenditure in each of the last five years; and what research his Department has carried out into the potential contribution of improved (i) heating, (ii) insulation and (iii) ventilation in reducing the incidence of asthma. [55598]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department does not have precise estimates of the cost of treating asthma. However respiratory disease accounted for approximately 0.5 per cent. of hospital expenditure, 1.4 per cent. of primary care expenditure and 0.3 per cent. of pharmaceutical expenditure respectively.
Also attached is a statistical table showing net ingredient cost and the estimated total expenditure of items dispensed in the community in England for the treatment of asthma from 1997 to 2001.
England Year Net ingredient cost (£millions) Total expenditure(£millions) 1997 470 472 1998 502 497 1999 523 506 2000 532 519 2001 567 551 The Department ran a research programme on the health effects of indoor air pollutants that finished last year. Three of the projects in the research programme were:
Exposure to indoor air pollution and the risk of upper and lower respiratory disease in asthmatic children and their mothers. Dr. J Clough, University of Child Health, Southampton General Hospital at a cost of £165,175.Consequences for health and effects of damp on the incidence of airborne microbial cell wall components in the home. Ms T Gladding, University of Luton at a cost of £125,000.1424W
1999 2000 2001 STAFF IN OPERATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS/NOT ESTABLISHMENT BASED Provision specifically for children's services Team leaders/managers 2,300 2,410 2,575 Assistant team managers/senior social workers 2,040 2,225 2,340 Care managers 350 285 345 Field social workers 9,925 9,890 9,675
An epidemiological study of the impact of damp and other aspects of poor housing on adult health. Dr. S Stewart-Brown, Institute of Health Sciences, Oxford at a cost of £8,778.Details of these projects can be found at http://www.doh.gov.uk/hef/airpol/airpolh.htm