HC Deb 07 March 1996 vol 273 cc323-4W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when an independent inquiry into an allegation of clinical negligence or misconduct involving the use of laparoscopic surgical techniques in a case of uterine cancer was last carried out in respect of the Northern and Yorkshire health region; by whom that inquiry was carried out; and at what cost. [19234]

Mr. Horam

Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority carried out an inquiry into an allegation about the use of laparoscopic surgical techniques in a case of uterine cancer in the second half of 1995. The hon. Member may wish to contact John Greetham CBE, chairman of the authority, for further details.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the use of laparoscopic surgical techniques for hysterectomy in the case of uterine cancer requires ethics committee approval. [19236]

Mr. Horam

Laparoscopic surgical techniques require local research ethics committee approval only if carried out as part of a research project.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he is preparing guidelines as to when laparoscopic surgical techniques may be used for hysterectomy in the case of uterine cancer; [19237]

(2) what guidelines exist covering the circumstances under which laparoscopic surgical techniques of hysterectomy may be used in the case of uterine cancer. [19238]

Mr. Horam

No guidelines exist covering specifically the circumstances under which laparoscopic surgical techniques of hysterectomy may be used in the case of uterine cancer. The development, publication and maintenance of guidelines for the clinical management of various groups of illnesses are the responsibility of the medical, nursing, dental and other clinicians and their professional bodies.