§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of cases in each of the last five years of (a) persons dying from the effect of anaesthetics and (b) the amount of damages awarded against National Health Service doctors in area health authorities to persons suffering as a result of the application of anaesthetics, in National Health Service hospitals; if he is satisfied with the care taken over the administration of anaesthetics in establishments for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI regret that the information requested is not available centrally. Though deaths due to anaesthesia52W are rare, they are a cause for concern and for this reason I welcome the study of anaesthetic mortality being conducted by the Association of Anaesthetists.