§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each primary care team what training they offer staff to comply with the Disability and Discrimination Act 1995. [86158]
§ Mr. HuttonData on the local training arrangements at primary care trust (PCT) or primary care team level is not collected centrally. However, the National Health Service Executive issued management guidance to NHS trusts, health authorities (HAs) and primary care groups on implementing Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in July 1999. HAs were asked to develop a strategy to ensure that Section 21 of the DDA was implemented across their premises including hospitals, primary care premises, health centres and clinics.
In addition, the Department has issued a guide, Doubly Disabled, to help NHS managers and staff improve their awareness of the needs of disabled people whether they are patients, carers or employees. A distance learning package on disability awareness for NHS staff, particularly front line staff, commissioned by the Department, has been available since November 1999.