§ 2.51 p.m.
§ Baroness Masham of IltonMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether advice has been given to medical practitioners regarding the recovery and re-use of cardiac pacemakers and other devices from deceased patients.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur)Yes, my Lords, health authorities were given guidance in March last year about the ownership of devices or prostheses implanted surgically in, and intended to remain within, the patient's body and about the removal of such implants, particularly cardiac pacemakers, after the patient's death. Advice was given in May 1978 on the resterilisation of cardiac pacemakers in the rare cases where they are re-used for another patient.
§ Baroness Masham of IltonMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. Is he aware that this information has not gone down to the general practitioners and that they spend a great deal of their time, when they are very busy, ringing the hospitals to see whether cardiac pacemakers are needed or wanted? Would not the Minister consider it to be advisable, as funeral directors are supposed to take out the devices, for general practitioners to know about this?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I have to tell the noble Baroness that this is a peripheral matter for general practitioners; it is more for the cardiac departments who have a prime interest in it. It is they who fit the devices in the first place. Re-use is also a matter for them.
§ Lord EnnalsMy Lords, bearing in mind that the life of a pacemaker is only about seven years, would much be saved by this proposal? Since every heart is different, would it not be far more profitable to support (a) the current bio-chip development, which checks the condition of a living heart and uses the information to control the pacemaker, and (b) the next generation of bio-chip which will make sure that the pacemaker is exactly matched to the heart's needs?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, it is certainly true that more sophisticated pacemakers, using the techniques which the noble Lord has described, are becoming available both here and in other countries. There is also a great deal to be said for fitting those who need them with the relatively simple devices in greater numbers than could possibly be afforded, using the more expensive techniques.
§ Lord GlenarthurNo, my Lords. That is the reason why I answered the Question as I did.
§ Baroness Masham of IltonMy Lords, why is it that in this country pacemaker insertion is less than in any other Western European country, and only one-fifth of that in the United States of America? Would not the Minister agree with me that for those who can benefit from the pacemaker it is most wonderful and gives them a new lease of life?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, that is essentially another question; but I can tell the noble Baroness that in the United Kingdom in 1982 20.000 pacemakers were in place.
§ Lady KinlossMy Lords, can the Minister say whether there is a long waiting list for cardiac pacemakers?
§ Lord GlenarthurNot without notice, my Lords.