§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are being made to increase the availability of heart pacemakers in the United Kingdom similar to those manufactured by the company Transmedics, of Texas, with a variable rate of operation and batteries which last at least eight years; how many such American pacemakers are on order; and what comparable British machines exist.
§ Mr. MoyleSuch pacemakers are already widely available and may be provided if thought necessary by the consultant to meet the essential clinical needs of a patient. My Department has no information about the number of such American pacemakers on order by the NHS. There is no comparable British machine.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what considerations decisions are based whether to give heart pacemakers, manufactured in America, to British NHS patients; and what action is being taken to make advanced pacemakers which do not require new batteries for at least eight years more available to British National Health Service patients in need of pacemakers.
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§ Mr. MoyleThe decision as to the type of heart pacemaker to be provided is made by a consultant on the basis of the suitability of the pacemaker to meet the essential clinical needs of the patient. Pacemakers powered by lithium iodide batteries—with a claimed life of up to eight years—may be provided, but if the needs of the patient could be met by a pacemaker using a mercury cell—with a life of about three years—it would be for the health authority to decide whether the more expensive lithium-powered appliance should be supplied. Several types of lithium-powered pacemakers, made in the United States of America and in other countries, are available in this country.