HC Deb 10 March 1958 vol 584 c8
31. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Health at which hospital centre the Gibbon-type heart-lung machine is to be installed; and when it is anticipated that it will be in use for the closure of ventricular septal defects in young children.

Mr. R. Thompson

The Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford. I cannot yet say when it will be brought into use for operations.

Mrs. Butler

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he could look at this question of giving greater information about these operations so that parents concerned can know exactly where they stand? I have raised this question with him before. Will he please, in regard to this particular machine, look at the question of making knowledge available to the parents?

Mr. Thompson

I said in reply to the hon. Lady in an Adjournment debate that I would do my best in this respect, but, of course, these operations are not notifiable and there is a certain amount of difficulty.

Dr. Summerskill

Would the hon. Gentleman say why the Radcliffe has been chosen instead of a bigger centre of population such as London?

Mr. Thompson

Probably, I should think, because they have there a very good research team and wish to pursue some research into the matter.

Dr. Summerskill

So they have in London.