Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 19 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 September 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 September 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people are estimated to be treated in hospitals and health centres as a consequence of falls following contact with dog excrement on public byways and in public spaces; what the estimated cost to public health authorities of treating patients for injuries incurred as a result of falls due to contact with dog excrement (a) on public byways and (b) in public spaces has been in each year since 1997, broken down by strategic health authority. - Info requested is not available centrally and it is not possible to estimate the cost.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are estimated to be treated in hospitals and health centres as a consequence of falls following contact with dog excrement on public byways and in public spaces; [185894] (2) what the estimated cost to public health authorities of treating patients for injuries incurred as a result of falls due to contact with dog excrement (a) on public byways and (b) in public spaces has been in each year since 1997, broken down by strategic health authority. [185895] Miss Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not available centrally and it is not possible to estimate the cost.

Secondary information