Laser Eye Surgery

HC Deb 10 March 2003 vol 401 c103W

Chris Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further plans he has for regulating laser eye surgery. [99329]

Mr. Lammy

From 1 April 2002, independent health care establishments that provide treatment with Class 313 lasers, except where these are used by or under the supervision of health professionals, and all independent health care establishments that provide treatment with Class 4 lasers have been regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000 by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC).

Independent providers of all Class 4 laser treatment are required to comply with regulations made under the Act. There are also two sets of national minimum standards: core standards, which apply to all independent health care providers, and service-specific standards for each type of service provided, including laser treatment. In deciding whether an establishment has complied with regulations, the NCSC must take into account whether it meets the national minimum standards.