§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress is being made in introducing patient-controlled analgesia(a) intravenously and (b) orally in NHS hospitals; [95080]
(2) how many NHS hospitals or trusts have introduced patient-controlled analgesia (a) intravenously and (b) orally. [95081]
§ Mr. HuttonOral analgesia, taken regularly or as required, is available in all National Health Service hospitals where surgery takes place. Patient controlled analgesia administrated intravenously is a safe and effective method of delivering pain relief which is becoming the standard method of administering opioid analgesia in hospitals where major surgery takes place.