HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 cc180-3W
Linda Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of his Department's policies on the services for users of(a) King George Hospital, Ilford and (b) Whipps Cross University Hospital since 1997. [164876]

Mr. Hutton

Detailed information on the impact of Departmental policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans" is available in the Library and on the Department's website.

King George Hospital is one of four main hospitals within the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Developments and improvements at King George Hospital since 1997 include: A cardiac angiography suite opened to patients in November 2003, (partially funded by the New Opportunities Fund) to provide facilities for local residents to receive cardiac investigations closer to home. The Cedars center cancer unit, redeveloped and extended cancer treatment facilities recently opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, developed in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Relief. A primary care walk-in center will open in April 2004 within the King George Hospital accident and emergency department. A capital redevelopment of the accident and emergency area is planned to accommodate a full walk-in center in due course.

In April 2001, following a major reconfiguration of all healthcare services within north-east London, Whipps Cross Hospital NHS Trust was established as an acute trust within the North East London Strategic Health Authority. Developments and improvements at Whipps Cross University Hospital since 1997 include:

Investment The approval of the outline business case for the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital at a total cost of £331 million. The opening of a satellite renal unit £1.35 million in partnership with Barts and The London NHS Trust. The opening of the new Acorn children's unit—£1.2 million. The opening of the Gillian Revell rehabilitation center—a rehabilitation unit for older people.

Information Management Technology A trust-wide programme to upgrade information management technology investment in both hardware and software.

Access: Accident and Emergency Major upgrading of the accident and emergency department. £2.5 million emergency medicine center opened in June 2003. In March 2002, there were 382 patients waiting more than 12 months for inpatient treatment and 874 waiting 9 to 11 months. Latest figures show 344 waiting mere than 9 to 11 months. In March 2002, there were 2,310 patients waiting more than 13 weeks for outpatient treatment. Latest figures show 1,366 patients waiting more than 13 weeks. 83.6 per cent. of patients spend less than four hours in the accident and emergency Department. In September 2002, the figure was 49.1 per cent. 99.8 per cent. of urgent referrals for suspected cancer are seen by a specialist within two weeks.

Coronary Heart Disease Services The opening of rapid access chest pain clinic on Byron ward. Extra funding allocated for heart disease services has resulted in a cut in waiting times from over 26 weeks to 13 weeks. The opening of an integrated cardiology unit on Byron ward. The opening of a cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

Linda Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what improvements to users of primary care services in the London borough of Redbridge have been funded by his Department since 1990. [164877]

Mr. Hutton

Detailed information on the impact of departmental policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans", is available in the Library and on the Department's website.

The London borough of Redbridge is coterminous with Redbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Information is not held centrally for the period 1990 to 2002. in April 2003 Redbridge PCT was merged with part of the disaggregated Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford PCT. Figures are therefore only available from June 2003 for Redbridge PCT. This information is shown in the tables.

Number of people waiting for in-patient treatment (including day

cases) in Redbridge PCT

Month end
June 2003 January 2004
Total waiting list 5,209 4,811
Patients waiting 9–11 months 384 368
Patients waiting over 12 months 0 0
Source:
Department of Health form KH07.

In June 2003 71.9 per cent. of patients (of practices which have an appointments system) were offered an appointment to see a primary care professional within one working day. Latest figures show that this has risen to 82.8 per cent. (December 2003).

Number of people waiting for out-patient treatment in Redbridge

PCT

Month end
June 2003 September 2003
13+ weeks 1.710 1,982
17–20 weeks 457 481
21 + weeks 0 0
Source:
Department of Health form KH07.

The NHS Plan commitment by March 2003 was that no one would wait more than 21 weeks. As figures show, the PCT is meeting this target.

Redbridge PCT allocations
£million
2003–04 160.65
2004–05 175.54

During 2003–04 Redbridge PCT invested significant monies in Primary Care Service development. These include:

Scheme £000
Enhanced Intermediate Care Team 120
Paediatric Diabetes Nurse Specialist 25
Provision of community based services by GPwSI 60
Extension of GP Co-operative 30
Investment at Whipps Cross Hospital MRI Waits and GP

referrals

50
Mental Health Treatments 18
Exceptional treatment 50
Integrated equipment store 15
Setting up and providing a GP appraisal system for all RPCT

practicing GPs

115
Child protection improvements—nurse consultant 50
Diabetes retinal screening 100
Free Nursing Care 70
Breast screening extension to 65–70 year olds 79
Fund GP counselling service 173
IT support for CHD and Diabetes registers: 2 IT facilitators 45
Total 1,000

The PCT has also funded increased activity and service developments for specialist services, which it commissions through consortium arrangements within North East London strategic health authority and pan London consortia.

The PCT has also been working in partnership with non-NHS organisations to the benefit of Redbridge residents, during 2003–04 £400,000 was spent on schemes including community volunteers, mental health concern, dementia, local action for health, regeneration and health improvement and user involvement.