§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about(a) overcrowding, (b) inadequate facilities and (c) mixed sex accommodation and toilet facilities in medical assessment units; and if he will make a statement. [126188]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonI have received no representations on any of these matters relating to medical assessment units.
§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of stay in medical assessment units in the NHS in(a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority has been in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [126157]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonInformation on length of stay in medical assessment units (MAUs) is not collected centrally.
648WMAUs have a variety of models of care and therefore it is not appropriate to specify a length of stay. Those which have the role of only initial investigation may have lengths of stay of a few hours. Others may aim to keep patients for up to 48 hours, with the aim of discharging as many patients as possible, up to 40 per cent. in some units, directly to home from the MAU.
§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is available to the NHS on the provision of senior staff to supervise medical assessment units; what monitoring is undertaken by his Department to ensure that this guidance is adhered to; and if he will make a statement. [126190]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonGuidance on the staffing and running of emergency assessment units has recently been issued to the national health service by the Department. The Society of Acute Medicine was consulted, along with other professional bodies, in formulating this guidance. A copy of this can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/emergencycare/emergencyassmentchecklist
The new system of devolved responsibility in the NHS means that strategic health authorities are now responsible for monitoring the performance of the NHS trusts that it manages. This includes ensuring that department issued guidance, such as that for emergency assessment units is adhered to.
§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) average and (b) maximum waiting times for admission to medical assessment units in (i) England and (ii) each strategic health authority in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [126189]
§ Ms. Rosie WintertonThis information is not collected centrally.