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Dept of Health

Answer

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to Portsmouth, North constituency, the effects of changes to departmental policy since 1997 on Portsmouth, North constituency. [207973] Ms Rosie Winterton: The Government have put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in all parts of the United Kingdom. There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the Portsmouth, North constituency. For example: At the end of November 2004, the number of people waiting more than nine months for inpatient treatment within Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust (PCT) has fallen to zero from 445 in June 2002. At the end of September 2004, the number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment within Portsmouth City PCT has fallen to 61 from 1,320 in June 2002. In 2003, at the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, 86.2 per cent. of patients spent less than four hours in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. Figures for September 2004 show an improvement to 96.8 per cent. Between September 1997 and June 2004, the number of consultants at the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has increased from 140 to 261. The number of nurses increased from 1,517 in September 1997 to 2,116 in September 2003. Figures for December 2004 show that 100 per cent. of patients within Portsmouth City PCT are able to be offered an appointment with a primary care professional within two working days. In the Portsmouth unitary authority area, death rates from cancer per 100,000 population have fallen from 221.22 in 1997 to 188.43 in 2002. In the Portsmouth unitary authority area, death rates from coronary heart disease per 100,000 population have fallen from 164.84 in 1997 to 124.89 in 2002. Portsmouth City PCT allocation has risen to £179.8 million for 2004-05, a cash increase of 9.5 per cent.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

207973; 430 c547-8W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Government departments Policy Department of Health Portsmouth

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk