Surgical Instruments (Hansard, 20 May 1999)

HC Deb 20 May 1999 vol 331 cc424-5W 424W

§ Mr. Gordon Prentice
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) deaths, (b) amputations and (c) other complications have been caused by surgical instruments or part of such remaining in patients following a surgical operation in each of the last three years. [84404]
425W

§ Mr. Denham
The table shows hospital inpatient activity for the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 where a foreign body has accidentally been left in a body cavity or operation wound following a procedure.

Finished consultant episodes Deaths

1995–96 841 4

1996–97¹ 756 11

1997–98¹ 749 8

¹Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisional

Source:
Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)

	Finished consultant episodes	Deaths
1995–96	841	4
1996–97¹	756	11
1997–98¹	749	8
¹Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisional