HC Deb 28 April 1999 vol 330 cc160-1W
Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice his Department has given to NHS trusts on the procedures they should adopt for checking the qualifications of those who apply for posts as operating department practitioners; [82078]

(2) how many cases of misconduct by operating department practitioners have been reported to his Department in each of the past five years; [82080]

(3) what research his Department has undertaken into the ability of operating department practitioners to provide care in areas other than the operating theatre, with particular reference to (a) accident and emergency, (b) cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and (c) intensive care units; [82075]

(4) what advice his Department has given to NHS trusts on whom they should notify if an operating department practitioner is dismissed for misconduct or incapability. [82079]

Mr. Hutton

The Department has not undertaken any research on the ability of operating department practitioners to provide care in other areas. Guidance has been issued on good recruitment practice which applies to all National Health Service staff. All NHS employers have a "duty of care" to ensure that all their employees are qualified and competent to perform the duties for which they are employed. This duty includes ensuring that high standards of patient care are maintained at all times.

Responsibility for dealing with issues of misconduct and incapability are a matter for NHS trusts. The Department does not collect information on the numbers of cases of misconduct by operating department practitioners.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the establishment of a statutory regulation scheme for operating department practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [82076]

Mr. Denham

Since 1 May 1997, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received eight representations about regulation of operating department practitioners.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of operating department practitioners in the NHS who work in areas other than operating theatres. [82077]

Mr. Hutton

The information requested is not available centrally. Planning the number of operating department practitioners is a matter for local employers to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.