§ 29. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health what recent guidance he has given to hospital authorities regarding the use and procurement of sterile disposable articles and materials in the hospital service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PowellI am sending the hon. Member copies.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the Minister aware that the development of disposables in hospitals, however desirable it may be in principle, is in danger of getting rather out of hand, with hospital authorities being swamped with free samples and advertising material from commercial firms? Does he not think that, in this case, careful guidance from his Ministry is proper?
§ Mr. PowellYes, Sir. That is one of the reasons why I am circulating to hospital authorities a list of the various studies on disposables and the progress 911 reached in them, but this is a matter that all hospital authorities should take into account in their planning.
§ Mr. PavittIs the Minister's circulated list a large and complicated one? If so, would it be possible to prepare a précis of advice? So much material is coming in that if the Minister's advice is in a complicated form it might be difficult to assimilate.
§ Mr. PowellI do not think that this particular list is complicated, but my Department issues many digests of progress in economy and improvement of technique.