§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency will ensure that bed rails with more than 120mm between the rails will no longer be used in the NHS and in care homes; and if he will make a statement. [158056]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)'s role is to provide guidance to the National Health Service and care providers regarding safety and best practice of medical devices and healthcare products. NHS trusts and care homes have a responsibility to act upon MHRA advice and ensure that with reference to the MHRA Medical Device Alert MDA 2004/007, they do not have beds with twin bar rails as described either in use or in storage.Within the social and independent care sectors, the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) is currently responsible to ensure that operators act upon MHRA's advice, where relevant, during their routine inspections of these establishments. This role will be taken over by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in April 2004.