§ 26. Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will arrange for disposable syringes and needles to be issued to diabetics.
§ Dr. OwenAs regards disposable needles, I have agreed to look into this issue, but it would be expensive to have all diabetics using them and we have to have regard to overall priorities within our limited total resources. In cases where disposable needles are essential they can already be supplied through hospitals. The case for supply of disposable syringes on prescription rests entirely on convenience and I do not think that the additional cost can be justified in present circumstances.