3M Capital Hip System

HC Deb 20 May 1998 vol 312 c431W

Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he received from the Medical Devices Agency about the 3M Capital Hip system. [31978]

Mr. Milburn

In January 1998 we were advised of the anecdotal information on the poor performance of the Capital hip system and that the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) was investigating the clinicians' experience at several United Kingdom centres. We have been regularly updated on the latest information as it has become available to the MDA. Conclusive data confirming the unacceptably high rates were established in February 1998 by the MDA. Advice to the National Health Service was issued as a Hazard Notice on 18 February 1998.