§ Mr. Sayeedasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the waiting list for treatment on the lithotripter at (a) St. Thomas's hospital and (b) among National Health Service patients using the machine at the Devonshire hospital.
§ Mr. NewtonAbout 1,000 patients are on the waiting list for treatment on the St. Thomas's hospital lithotripter. I regret that no information is available centrally about National Health Service patients awaiting treatment on the machine operated by the Devonshire hospital.
§ Mr. Sayeedasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it has yet been possible from experience of the lithotripter machine at St. Thomas's to assess the number of machines estimated for the total needs of the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. CurrieThere are many factors involved in assessing the number of lithotripters needed for the United Kingdom. These include whether the particular type of machine chosen can be used only for the destruction of kidney stones or whether it can be used for other purposes, whether the existence of the lithotripter will affect the balance between acute and conservative treatment for patients with kidney stones and whether the distance between the patient's home and the lithotripter centre affects length of stay and thus the balance between revenue and capital costs.
Experience at St. Thomas's hospital and information about new machines coming on to the market both indicate that a larger number of machines will be required than was at first suggested. It is for this reason that my right hon. Friend, the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mr. Hayhoe), announced in August that he had concluded that lithotripsy would best be developed as a regional service.
§ Mr. Sayeedasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue guidelines as to the use of lithotripters under co-operative arrangements between health authorities.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe have no plans at present to issue guidelines on co-operative arrangements for the use of lithotripters by health authorities. These arrangements are for the authorities to set up in the light of their local needs. Officials are, however, keeping a close eye on the development of the machines and possible extensions of their use and are willing to provide information and assistance to authorities who are deciding how they might provide a service.