§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Healthy Start Scheme will address the condition of iron deficiency anaemia in infants; and if he will make a statement. [179629]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonIn line with the recommendations of the committee on medical aspects of food and nutrition policy (COMA), Healthy Start will provide vouchers to qualifying pregnant women and families that can be exchanged for fresh fruit and vegetables as well as milk and infant formula. Advice and support will be offered to beneficiaries to help them establish healthy diets that contain appropriate vitamins and minerals.
Additional vouchers will be given to qualifying families with children aged 0–12 months from estimated date of delivery if later than their first birthday. This reflects COMA's concern that low birth weight babies have an increased risk of developing iron deficiency. Healthy Start will also provide vouchers to all women under 18 who become pregnant, regardless of their family income, because of their increased nutritional vulnerability.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of a possible link between iron deficiency anaemia and socio-economic deprivation; [179630]
(2) what percentage of children were affected by iron deficiency anaemia in the last period for which figures are available. [179631]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department undertakes regular surveys to monitor the diet and health of children. The national diet and nutrition survey (NDNS) indicated that the reported prevalence of anaemia varies markedly between populations studied. The NDNS showed that more than 10 per cent, of children aged 1.5 to 2.5 years were anaemic. This fell to 6 per cent. for children aged 2.5 to 3.5 years. Iron intakes are also considerably lower in young women with 50 per
Expenditure on the commissioning of mental illness services by primary care trusts (PCT) in Devon 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Cash expenditure (£000) As a percentage of total budget Cash expenditure (£000) As a percentage of total budget Cash expenditure (£000) As a percentage of total budget East Devon PCT n/a n/a 61 0.09 8,293 7.26 Exeter PCT n/a n/a 1,307 1.51 9,438 7.11 Mid Devon PCT n/a n/a 492 0.89 12,932 13.95 North Devon PCT n/a n/a 32 0.03 10,384 7.43 Plymouth PCT n/a n/a 3,414 1.68 25,949 10.27 South Hams and West Devon PCT 3,283 8.99 6,809 9.24 4,904 5.66 Teignbridge PCT n/a n/a 6,837 9.07 11,311 11.60 Torbay PCT 4,360 9.51 8,984 8.37 7,960 5.47