§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to conduct an inquiry into the number and causes of perioperative death of patients; if she will estimate the numbers so dying in each of the last five years; and if she will list the numbers preventable in each of the last five years and the broad preventable causes of death.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department of Health already supports the national confidential inquiry into perioperative deaths. Information on the number of people who die following surgery is not available centrally. A table on trends in "avoidable" deaths, 1979–92, for a selected number of conditions is contained in "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics 1992", copies of which are available in the Library. While it would not be possible to prevent every death deemed to be "avoidable", it is expected that a substantial proportion could be prevented.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the findings of the NCEPOD report on the confidential inquiry into perioperative death.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe national confidential inquiry into perioperative deaths—NCEPOD—is an important study for patients and the National Health Service. It provides valuable reassurance about the quality of surgical and anaesthetic care. We welcome the inquiry's conclusion that across the range of specialties covered, patients can rely on excellent standards. Some of the problems identified in previous reports, such as the percentage of consultants involved in decisions on patient care, are improving. There is, however, room for further improvement. For example there is scope for clinicians and local managers in some areas to work together to improve operating facilities. The report also identifies issues for the medical profession which can improve standards of professional practice, such as in the prevention of pulmonary embolism and in the control of fluids in elderly patients.
Through careful assessment of clinical standards, this inquiry helps to ensure that the medical profession retains a critical approach to its work. The Government wish to encourage all surgeons and anaesthetists to continue to support NCEPOD, and NHS managers and the profession to act on the results. We expect all doctors to participate in peer review activities, and we provide continuing financial support for medical and clinical audit, as well as for NCEPOD. In these ways, doctors can develop confidence in their clinical performance and identify areas where they can further develop their expertise.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to require contractors to write into contracts a confidential inquiry into perioperative death data requirement.
§ Mr. SackvilleIt is for individual health authorities to establish local health needs and on that basis determine what they include in their contracts.