§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many practice nurses are trained in asthma management(a) in Warrington and (b) in the north-west region; and how many trained nurses per head of population each figure represents; [102662]
(2) how much Warrington Primary Care Trust will spend in 2002–03 on asthma care. [102660]
77W
§ Jacqui SmithDuring 2002–03, Warrington Primary Care Trust provided £100,000 in respect of the rapid respiratory team. The PCT also invests in drugs for the care and treatment of asthma. These drugs are also used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and as such it is not possible to separate the drug costs for asthma from COPD. In addition, there will also be costs associated with hospital admissions, out-patient attendance and the asthma clinics which are organised by all general practitioner practices in Warrington. However, a breakdown of these costs is not available.
Data for the number of practice nurses trained in asthma management for the north-west area are not held centrally. A survey was undertaken by Warrington PCT in December 2002. 22 practices, or 73 per cent. responded and confirmed that between them there were 30 asthma trained nurses. This represents 0.15 nurses per 1,000 total population for the Warrington area based on the Warrington PCT December 2002 survey.
Source:
Warrington Primary Care Trust.