§ Mr. CongdonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in respect of protein levels in latex surgical gloves; and if he will make a statement; [38267]
(2) what routine monitoring his Department undertakes in respect of allergic reactions experienced by NHS staff to proteins in latex surgical gloves; [38268]
(3) what assessment he has made of the levels of proteins in latex surgical gloves purchased by the NHS. [38269]
§ Mr. HoramNo specific research has been commissioned on protein levels in latex surgical gloves. The available information on the subject has been evaluated and relevant experts in the field have been consulted. The Medical Devices Agency published a device bulletin entitled "Latex Sensitisation in the Health Care Setting (Use of Latex Gloves)", copies of which are available in the Library. The Department does not undertake specific monitoring of allergic reactions experienced by national health service staff to proteins in latex surgical gloves. However the Medical Devices Agency has a system for investigating adverse incidents associated with all medical devices.