§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many genito-urinary management clinics there are in(a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire. [136574]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer on 5 November 2003]: There are three genito-urinary management (GUM) clinics in Buckinghamshire; at Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and Wycombe. There are no GUM clinics in Chesham and Amersham.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of genitourinary management clinics in England. [136575]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 5 November 2003]: The Department of Health is working to improve access to genito urinary medicine (GUM) services. Primary care trusts should ensure that local GUM services are designed to meet local needs. The Department of Health is supporting them in this role through the provision of additional investment to `pump-prime' GUM services and address long-waiting times and backlogs in those areas where it is most needed.
£13 million was invested in GUM services in 2003–04 and over £6 million in 2002–03, with additional funding of £5 million announced this year in our response to the Health Select Committee's report on sexual health. To support those areas with little or no GUM services, or where services are struggling to cope with demand, a further £2 million in 2003–04 will be used to establish a small number of development schemes to pump-prime the establishment of new services or further develop those already in existence.
The Department of Health is also continuing to work to increase the role of primary care in the provision of sexual health services which will help to relieve the pressure on GUM services.
The Department of Health is also continuing to work to increase the role of primary care in the provision of sexual health services which will help to relieve the pressure on GUM services.