HC Deb 03 July 1967 vol 749 c1235
1. Mrs. Knight

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has made to ensure more stringent observation of the regulations in National Health Service hospitals to avoid mistakes in the operating theatre.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Christopher Price) on 19th June.—[Vol. 748, c. 1121–2.]

Mrs. Knight

Will the right hon. Gentleman recognise that this is a matter of great concern not only in the Birmingham area but all over the country? Mistakes have been occurring. Will he ensure that the greatest possible care is taken at all times about this matter?

Mr. Robinson

I certainly do not disagree with the hon. Lady, but I think that we ought to get this into perspective, because the number of claims reported to my Department for wrong operations averaged about seven a year over the last five years, and for other surgical mistakes about 18 a year. That should be looked at against the background of about 2 million operations carried out every year in National Health Service hospitals.