§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will award ex gratia payments to women suffering permanent, progressive, disabling injuries after radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer; and if he will make a statement. [29867]
§ Mr. BoatengWe are aware of the often severe problems experienced by women who have been injured following radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Unfortunately, there are risks associated with most medical interventions and radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer is not the only area where patients may suffer health and other problems as a result of treatment they have received.
Following careful consideration of the issues we have no plans to introduce a general scheme of ex gratia payments for specific groups such as those who have suffered injury as a result of radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
National Health Service bodies already have the authority exceptionally to make ex gratia payments in individual cases. Decisions to do so for those suffering adverse side effects from medical treatment are a matter for the individual NHS trust, after careful appraisal of the facts.