§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce national service frameworks in healthcare in Northern Ireland. [176873]
§ Angela SmithNational service frameworks are produced for the NHS in England. Although they have not been introduced to the health and social services in Northern Ireland, local service reviews over recent years136W in areas such as cardiac surgery and cardiology, cancer, renal services and diabetes have incorporated elements of national service frameworks where appropriate. In line with the Government's plans to raise standards of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, the need for further work in this area is being considered at present.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the costs to public funds arising from back pain in each of the last five years. [176874]
§ Angela SmithWe estimate that the cost of treating complaints with a diagnosis of back pain in a hospital in-patient or day-case setting in Northern Ireland was £4.2 million in 2001–02 and £5.2 million for 2002–03. Further information is not available.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been provided for(a)dermatology and (b)sleep disorders in each of the past five years. [176877]
§ Angela SmithMy Department has not earmarked funding specifically for either dermatology or sleep disorders in each of the past five years. Expenditure on the treatment of sleep disorders is not available but expenditure over the last five years on the dermatology specialty in a hospital inpatient, day case or outpatient setting is as follows:
£ million Year ending March Dermatology expenditure 1999 7.8 2000 8.0 2001 8.5 2002 8.7 2003 9.1