To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely level of take-up of prescription home delivery services by (a) large dispensing appliance contractors and (b) all dispensing appliance contractors under his proposals for changes to the Part IX remuneration regime; and if he will make a statement. (232087)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the prospects for patient choice for patients using home delivery services for intermittent catheters under Part IX of the Drug Tariff. (232385)

In the June consultation relating to the review of Part IX of the Drug Tariff, it was proposed that that every dispensing appliance contractor and pharmacy contractor in England should be required to provide home delivery for all items in Part IXA (catheter, laryngectomy and tracheostomy), Part IXB and Part IXC of the Drug Tariff—if so requested by the user—as part of essential services for items that they supply in the normal course of their business.

The proposals set out in the consultation document reflect underlying assumption that 95 per cent. of these items require home delivery.

As it is proposed that every dispensing appliance contractor and pharmacy contractor in England should be required to provide home delivery—if so requested by the user—as part of essential services for items that they supply in the normal course of their business, patient choice would be maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he expects the full summary of responses to the consultation on the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances under Part IX of the Drug Tariff to be published; and if he will make a statement; (232227)

A summary of responses to the consultation entitled Proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances—and related services—in Primary Care. June 2008 will be placed on the Department's website no later than three months after the consultation closed. As the consultation closed on 9 Septembers 2008, the summary will be published in week commencing 8 December 2008.

Responses to the June consultation will help to inform policy decision. Once these are announced, the Department will be seen to have responded to respondents' contributions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will report the outcomes of the most recent consultation on stoma and incontinence products. (233212)

A summary of responses to the consultation entitled ‘Proposed New Arrangements Under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the Provision of Stoma and Urology Appliances—and Related Services—in Primary Care. June 2008’ will be placed on the Department's website no later than three months after the consultation closed. As the consultation closed on 9 September 2008, the summary will be published in week commencing 8 December 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2008, Official Report, column 657W on incontinence: medical equipment, how many (a) letters and (b) other informal responses his Department received from (i) healthcare professionals, (ii) primary care trust representatives, (iii) strategic health authority representatives, (iv) patients and (v) others on the June 2008 consultation on changes to Part IX of the Drug Tariff; and if he will make a statement. (233268)

It is not possible to provide the information in the format requested. Such information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

During the consultation period of 9 June to 9 September 2008, the Department received 604 pieces of correspondence, letters and emails regarding the consultation on proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology items—and related services—in Primary Care.