§ The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ To which specialist units the National Poisons Information Service advises general practitioners to refer patients for treatment for the chronic effects of exposure to organophosphates.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)My Lords, the National Poisons Information Service centres advise general practitioners to refer patients to an appropriate specialist unit. This could be one of five linked to NPIS centres or others situated in general hospitals.
§ The Countess of MarMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for that reply. It is now four years since I first asked a Starred Question in an effort to gain proper medical help for farmers. Is she aware that we are still suffering from a lack of recognition of the problem by GPs and consultants? I am very grateful for what the Government have done; I realise that one cannot force people into doing things. However, will the Minister look into the issue once again to see if we can achieve a solution for the farmers who are suffering so dreadfully?
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy Lords, I believe that few have been more resolute and more tenacious in their cause than the noble Countess. I am delighted to tell her that the presidents of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists met the Chief Medical Officer at my request yesterday. They have agreed to set up a working group to review the evidence for possible long-term adverse effects of exposure to OPs. The group will also meet with the noble Countess and others she wishes to suggest. It will then be in a good position to offer advice on any course of further action which may be necessary.
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonMy Lords, I am sure that the House will be extremely glad to hear of the Minister's initiative in this area, which is extremely welcome. I join the Minister in congratulating the noble Countess on her efforts in this field.
Where there is a new and possibly undetected illness of this kind, is it not a matter of some concern that the present structures in the health service, by which hospitals are required to act independently, make it difficult for people to receive locally at each individual 436 hospital the advice that the noble Countess seeks, if the matter is not commercially attractive or absolutely scientifically proven?
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy Lords, I do not believe that that is the case. One of the problems that the noble Countess identifies involves general practitioners. They are independent people. We rely on them to make the diagnosis and to refer patients on. However, I believe that this initiative will help not only the general practitioners but also the consultants in individual hospitals.
§ The Countess of MarMy Lords, perhaps I may express my gratitude to the noble Baroness the Minister for her reply to me.