§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) maggot-treated and (b) conventionally treated ulcers were evaluated by specialists at the West Cumberland Hospital in the study of use of maggots in larval therapy; and if he will make a statement. [134131]
§ Mr. DenhamThe West Cumbria Health Care National Health Service Trust study into larval therapy evaluated six patients who received maggot treatment for their ulcers and six patients who received conventional ulcer treatment.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent guidelines have been set by health authorities in testing larval therapy; what 85W preventive measures are included in studies to ensure the safety of human volunteers; and if he will make a statement; [134129]
(2) what is the cost of his study on larval therapy; and if he will make a statement on potential NHS budget gains associated with such therapy. [134130]
§ Mr. DenhamProtocols for clinical research on the effectiveness of larval therapy in the National Health Service have to have the approval of Research Ethics Committees and the relevant NHS authority before they can proceed.
Larval therapy is part of the wound care appraisal currently being undertaken by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. The appraisal will determine the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of debriding agents in treating difficult to heal surgical wounds. It will also evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of treating patients with difficult to heal surgical wounds by means of specialist wound care (eg at specialised wound care clinics) as compared to conventional care. NICE will review the available research evidence but will not itself commission further clinical research. NICE are expected to report on this appraisal in spring 2001.