§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in respect of the cost of alcohol abuse to the national health service; and when he expects to publish his Alcohol Strategy. [138778]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government's latest estimate of the costs accruing to the national health service as a result of alcohol misuse was prepared by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's strategy unit as part of their project to develop a alcohol harms reduction strategy for England. The strategy unit's interim analytical report on the harms associated with alcohol misuse, which was published on 19 September 2003, indicated that costs to the health service in
Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS) Staff Consultants and Doctors in training in cancer specialities England, as at 30 September Number (headcount) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 March 2002 2002 March 2003 June 2003 Consultants 3,155 3,273 3,362 3,528 3,721 3,864 3,913 4,059 4,096 Doctors in training 1,531 1,622 1,799 1,896 2,111 — 2,281 — — Of which: Senior House Officer 332 346 375 375 423 — 449 — — House Officer 20 22 22 42 21 — 23 — — Registrar Group 1,179 1,254 1,402 1,479 1,667 — 1,809 — — Notes:
1. Cancer specialties includes Clinical Oncology, Clinical Radiology, Haematology, Histopathology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Medicine.
2. Doctors in training data was not collected in the March or June 2003 mini census.
Source:
Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.
1358WEngland lay between £1.4 billion and £1.7 billion. These estimates were prepared using both existing and specially commissioned research.
The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England will be published in and implemented from 2004, in line with the commitment given by the Government in the NHS Plan.