HC Deb 17 June 1971 vol 819 cc136-7W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) to what cause he attributes the nil prescription of Possum equipment by the Wessex Regional Hospital Board, an area which possesses a homogeneous population distribution compared with other hospital boards in the country; if he will discuss the matter with the regional hospital board; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he is aware of the wide discrepancies in prescribing Possum equipment on the National Health Service by regional hospital boards which have a homogeneous population distribution regarding the disabilities and illnesses which can be alleviated by this equipment; and if he will take steps designed to reduce these discrepancies;

(3) to what cause he attributes the low prescription rate of Possum equipment on the National Health Service by the East Anglia Regional Hospital Board compared with other regional hospital boards; if he will discuss this matter with the East Anglia Regional Hospital Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

The variations between regions of different populations in the numbers of Possum equipments applied for and prescribed are not statistically significant and cannot be attributed to any discernible cause. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 3rd February, information about Possum has been provided throughout the country.—[Vol. 810, c.306.]

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the method by which Possum equipment is prescribed for suitable patients; what is the average length of time from first approach to final delivery; where the major delays take place; if he will take steps to improve the delivery time; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

Prescription of Possum equipment depends upon assessment by the regional hospital board of an application from a patient's medical advisers. The type of installation and ancillary equipment needed is decided after a

1967 1968 1969 1970
Deaths from spontaneous abortion (ICD 643) … … 4 12 8 7
(provisional)
—[Vol. 816, c. 233–4.]