HL Deb 11 December 1986 vol 482 cc1245-6
The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made towards allowing doctors to prescribe disposable plastic syringes, particularly for those with diabetic conditions.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)

My Lords, we are keeping the position under review.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that somewhat cautious reply. Can she say whether the Government appreciate that to limit the supply of disposable syringes only to diabetic patients would be a tremendous help not only to those patients as regards their safety and comfort but also to hospitals and doctors through the saving in time taken up by filling out forms? Can my noble friend advise the House what the cost would be if that were allowed on the National Health Service?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, we are spending about £1.2 million a year on the reusable syringes and needles which are currently prescribable. We estimate that making disposable syringes available on prescription will cost an additional £8 million to £10 million a year.

Lord Winstanley

My Lords, during this lengthy review, which has been going on for a very long time indeed, will the noble Baroness bear in mind the plight of parents with young children who are suffering from diabetes and who have to have insulin injections? Does she agree that such parents have burdens enough without the added one of having to sterilise syringes? If disposable syringes cannot be prescribed on Form FP10 for all diabetic patients, as I think they should be, can they at least be prescribed for diabetic children?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, most child diabetics are under consultant care and if the consultant considers that it is clinically desirable for a patient to use disposable syringes, supplies can be arranged through the hospital service.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, bearing in mind that prescriptions can be made up at clinics though not by GPs, and bearing in mind that Mrs. Edwina Currie in another place gave a much more encouraging response than that which has been given this afternoon by the noble Baroness, does she agree that this is perhaps one of the most worthy causes and that it would be a lovely Christmas present for those people who are suffering?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, perhaps I may just indicate where our priorities lie. We give very high priority to making blood glucose testing strips available on prescription because these give diabetics better control over their condition, and that can avoid or delay the onset of complications. However, I recognise that many diabetics would like to see disposable syringes made available on prescription, as they offer more comfort and convenience. I shall certainly make sure that all my ministerial colleagues are aware of the strong feelings that have been expressed by your Lordships.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes

My Lords, can the Minister comment on whether the £8 million cost is on the assumption that everyone will receive the syringes free, or has it taken into account the fact that the prescription charge is a fairly high one?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, perhaps I may remind my noble friend that many people do not pay for prescriptions anyway.

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