MR. JOHN GIBSON

HL Deb 14 December 1993 vol 550 cc103-4WA

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, during their investigation into the death of Mr. John Gibson, the Southampton University National Health Service Trust inquired into whether he was advised that a heart by-pass operation which he had been refused under the NHS could be performed privately at a cost of some £12,000; and

Whether, had Mr. John Gibson been able to pay to have a heart by-pass operation performed privately at a cost of some £12,000, that operation would have been carried out at Southampton General Hospital by the surgeon who refused him the same operation under the NHS.

Baroness Cumberlege

We are assured that at no stage was Mr. Gibson offered private treatment by the consultant surgeon.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will now publish the results of the investigation by Southampton University National Health Service Trust into the death of Mr. John Gibson, 11 days after he was refused treatment under the National Health Service at Southampton General Hospital because he smoked tobacco; and

Whether the professional judgment of the consultant surgeon at Southampton General Hospital who refused to perform a heart by-pass operation under the NHS on Mr. John Gibson, who died shortly after the refusal, is now under review.

Baroness Cumberlege

After careful clinical assessment of all the relevant factors, a clinician may conclude that a patient's condition is such that his long term prospects are unlikely to be improved by an operation. The clinician may decide that the patient's symptoms may be eased by surgery but only if he were to cease smoking and so allow his general health to improve. In Mr. Gibson's case, the medical director at the trust has reviewed the hospital's handling of the case and is satisfied that the consultant acted correctly throughout. It is for the trust to decide what, if anything, should be published, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality. It must be for the clinician responsible to decide what treatment is appropriate for each individual patient, irrespective of whether the patient is private or receiving treatment under the National Health Service. A consultant's professional judgment is subject to review through both formal audit and broader professional judgment.