HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 cc488-91W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what methods are used by the North-East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board to inform general practitioners, welfare workers and other interested persons and bodies of the availability of Possum equipment for the severely disabled; and if copies of such documents or information can be made available to Members of Parliament;

(2) what methods are used by the North of Scotland Regional Hospital Board to inform general practitioners, welfare workers and other interested persons and bodies of the availability of Possum equipment for the severely disabled; and if copies of such documents or information can be made available to Members of Parliament;

(3) what methods are used by the East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board to inform general practitioners, welfare workers and other interested persons and bodies of the availability of Possum equipment for the severely disabled; and if copies of such documents or information can be made available to Members of Parliament;

(4) what methods are used by the South-East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board to inform general practitioners, welfare workers and other interested persons and bodies of the availability of Possum equipment for the severely disabled; and if copies of such documents or information can be made available to Members of Parliament;

(5) what methods are used by the West Scotland Regional Hospital Board to inform general practitioners, welfare workers and other interested persons and bodies of the availability of Possum equipment for the severely disabled, and if copies of such documents or information can be made available to Members of Parliament.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

I am not aware how far regional boards have circulated material issued from my Department about patient-operated selector mechanisms, but I have no reason to suppose that their arrangements for identifying patients who need this equipment are inadequate.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many severely disabled persons in the North-East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board area were assessed for Possum equipment for the severely disabled; how many have been prescribed; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many severely disabled persons in the North of Scotland Regional Hos- pital Board area were assessed for Possum equipment for the severely disabled; how many have been prescribed; and if he will make a statement;

(3) how many severely disabled persons in the East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board area were assessed for Possum equipment for the severely disabled; how many have been prescribed; and if he will make a statement;

(4) how many severely disabled persons in the South-East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board area were assessed for Possum equipment for the severely disabled; how many have been prescribed; and if he will make a statement;

(5) how many severely disabled persons in the West Scotland Regional Hospital Board area were assessed for Possum equipment for the severely disabled; how many have eventually been prescribed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The number of severely disabled people who have been considered for supply of patient-operated selector mechanism including Possum is as follows:

Regional Hospital Board Number of patients assessed Number for whom selector equipment prescribed
Northern … Nil Nil
North-Eastern … Nil Nil
Eastern … Nil Nil
South-Eastern … 5 4
Western … 8 8
13 12

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many assessors are employed by the North-East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board in prescribing Possum equipment for the severely disabled; what training and instruction they have received; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many assessors are employed by the North of Scotland Regional Hospital Board in prescribing Possum equipment for the severely disabled; what training and instruction they have received; and if he will make a statement;

(3) how many assessors are employed by the East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board in prescribing Possum equipment for the severely disabled; what training and instruction they have received; and if he will make a statement;

(4) how many assessors are employed by the South-East of Scotland Regional Hospital Board in prescribing Possum equipment for the severely disabled; what training and instruction they have received; and if he will make a statement;

(5) how many assessors are employed by the West Scotland Regional Hospital Board in prescribing Possum equipment for the severely disabled; what training and instruction they have received; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

No assessors have been specifically designated by the regional hospital boards in Scotland. Any consultant who considers that his patient would benefit from the equipment may recommend supply, through the senior administrative medical officer of the regional hospital board, to the Scottish Home and Health Department. Consultants are aware of the criteria for issue of the equipment; those in the relevant specialities have the necessary training and expertise to enable them to determine when issue is justified.