Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 27 October 2009

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

To ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Peter Black (South Wales West): What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of the proposed £90 million decrease in funding to 'Increase the supply and choice of housing' (incorrectly labelled as 'tackling homelessness') in the 2010/2011 draft budget. (WAQ55023)

Answer issued on 10 November 2009

The Deputy Minister for Housing (Jocelyn Davies):I am writing further to your recent Written Assembly Question, what assessment has the Minister made of the impact of the proposed £90 million decrease in funding to "Increase the supply and choice of housing” (incorrectly labelled as "tackling homelessness”) in the 2010/2011 draft budget.

I have assessed the impact of the capital variance of £90 million between 2009/10 and 2010/11.

£40 million relates to the bringing forward of Social Housing Grant from 2010/11 and an actual spend of £28 million in 2009/10. This is being used to support the construction and supply industry by stimulating supply and development and has allowed housing programmes to be accelerated to meet the One Wales target.

A further variance of £15 million relates to the One Wales Commitment of developing Not for Profit nursing homes. Following examination of the proposal, it transpired that restricting the selection bidders to the Not for Profit sector is a breach of State Aid rules and cannot be pursued in its original format. My officials are currently examining a range of models to explore the best options for meeting the agenda of this One Wales Commitment.

The remainder of the variance, £7 million, is a consequential relating solely to Extra Care Schemes in 2009/10 and therefore is not reflected in the 2010/11 budgets.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What measures is the Minister taking to improve disability access to outreach vehicles which provide NHS services. (WAQ55020)

Answer issued on 27 October 2009

I expect all NHS organisations with responsibility for the provision of any form of NHS patient transport services to have effective arrangements in place that ensure patients with disabilities have equal access to the services provided.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What proportion of outreach vehicles providing NHS services have facilities for disabled access. (WAQ55021)

Answer issued on 27 October 2009

This information is not held centrally.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What measures is the Minister taking to improve access to clinical experts for patients with rare diseases. (WAQ55024)

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What measures is the Minister taking to improve access to diagnostic and treatment services for patients with rare diseases. (WAQ55025)

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What discussions has the Minister had about commissioning a review of services for patients with rare diseases. (WAQ55026)

Answer issued on 26 October 2009

In June a European Union (EU) Council Recommendation was agreed on rare diseases which suggested the creation of a 'National Plan’ for rare diseases.  I have taken note of the EU Council Recommendation and I am also conscious that by their very nature these conditions are many and varied and there may be a potential benefit of thinking in a wider context than just Wales.  My officials have met with representatives of Rare Disease UK, which describes itself as the national alliance for people with rare diseases and all who support them, and are also in contact with the Department of Health on a how best to respond to the Council Recommendation.  

I will give careful consideration, based on the understanding of patient needs and possible responses, to what emerges from that work.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on proposals to improve entertainment and telephone services for patients in NHS hospitals. (WAQ55027)

Answer issued on 26 October 2009

I refer you to my answer to WAQ54736, which I answered on 3 September 2009.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How much is spent on entertainment and telephone services for patients in NHS hospitals (WAQ55028)

Answer issued on 26 October 2009

This information is not held centrally.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide an update on the discussions she has held with Hospedia about reducing call charges for hospital patients. (WAQ55029)

Answer issued on 26 October 2009

I have not held any discussions with Hospedia myself, but my officials have as part of the review into the costs of hospital telephone call charges. I refer you to my answer to WAQ54774, which I answered on 16 September 2009.

To ask the Minister for Heritage

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Further to WAQ54987, how many school children are currently undertaking at least five hours of physical activity each week. (WAQ55022)

Answer issued on 29 October 2009

The Sports Council for Wales report that their Active Young People Survey (2006) showed that 35% of secondary school children took part in physical activity for 60 minutes or more on five or more days of the week.  

Primary school age children are reported to be more physically active than older pupils - the equivalent 2006 survey showed that 44% took part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on five or more days of the week.  

Results from the Sports Council’s 2009 survey are expected to be known during the early part of next year.