§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provisions in the National Service Framework for long-term conditions will address the needs of longterm epilepsy sufferers; [144703]
(2) what progress he has made in addressing the concerns raised in the National Sentinel Clinical Audit of Epilepsy-related Death, published in May 2002. [144704]
§ Dr. LadymanIn February 2003, we published an action plan for epilepsy services which addresses the key recommendations in the National Clinical Audit of Epilepsy Related Deaths audit and the Chief Medical Officer's 2001 Annual Report on epilepsy. This will be complemented by two key initiatives, which are planned for publication next year. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is developing a clinical guideline for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy, which it plans to publish next July. It is also looking at the clinical and cost effectiveness of new anti-epilepsy drugs in children and adults and plans to publish an appraisal in the new year. These will help address any variations in clinical practice and contribute to the improvement of services. We are developing the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions, which will focus on improving the standard of general neurology care across England for people with conditions such as epilepsy. The NSF will address a range of key issues, for example: the need for equitable access to a range of services; good quality information and support, for patients and carers; the ability to see a specialist and get the right investigations and diagnosis as quickly as possible; and, maintaining independence and quality of life. We currently plan to publish the NSF late next year for implementation over 10 years from 2005.
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§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the level of funding available for services for long-term epilepsy sufferers at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. [144705]
§ Dr. LadymanPrimary care trusts (PCTs) in partnership with strategic health authorities (SHAs) and other local stakeholders determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.
The pan-Birmingham epilepsy group, including representatives from the acute national health service trusts and PCTs within Birmingham is currently reviewing the provision of epilepsy services across the city.
Over the three years from 2002–03 to the end of 2005–06 the total allocation to PCTs will increase in cash terms by £12.7 billion or 30.8 per cent. That is a significant level of investment and should deliver real benefits and results. The allocation includes resources to finance the cost of pay reform, new drugs and treatments and additional capacity.
§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) in-patient, (b) out-patient and (c) long-term provision is available for epilepsy sufferers in Birmingham. [144706]
§ Dr. LadymanAll of the acute hospitals in Birmingham provide some degree of epilepsy services as part of their neurology services.
University Hospital Birmingham National Health Service Trust has 32 dedicated in-patient neurology beds which are used by epilepsy patients. There are currently no in-patient beds within Birmingham specifically designated for epilepsy. Patients requiring such beds are referred to the National Society for Epilepsy in London.
Out-patient services are provided for the whole of the West Midlands region at the Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital for around 1,500 patients a year. Around 40 per cent. of patients are referred from Birmingham. There is an active electro encephalography department, with overnight monitoring for people with difficult-to-control epilepsy or in cases of diagnostic difficulty.
The Birmingham Women's Hospital also provides a clinic for pregnant women with epilepsy.