§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department's assessment of annual demand for cardiac operations in Scotland is still based upon the Kay committee's 1977 estimate of 1,600 to 2,000; if not, what later estimate is used; and if he will make a statement on the current annual number of such operations.
§ Mr. FairgrieveOur assessment of the annual demand is still based upon the Kay committee's estimate. The number of operations carried out in Scotland during 1980 was 1,062.
§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients are waiting to have cardiac operations in Scotland (a) in total and (b) in each major city.
§ Mr. FairgrieveI am seeking up-to-date figures from the health boards concerned and will write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Scotland which facilities available at hospitals other than the Royal infirmary, Edinburgh, would be suitable for cardiac surgical operations.
§ Mr. FairgrieveApart from the Royal infirmary, Edinburgh, there are at present no hospitals in Edinburgh which are fully equipped to permit the performance of cardiac surgery on adult patients to the standards recommended in the Kay report.
§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, since the publishing of the Kay report on cardiac surgery in Scotland in 1977, no decision on the development of additional cardiac surgical facilities in Edinburgh has yet been announced.
§ Mr. FairgrieveA number of difficulties have arisen in the course of planning a second cardiac surgical theatre at the Royal infirmary of Edinburgh. I hope to receive Lothian health board's detailed proposals soon.
§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent it is possible to increase the number of beds available at the Royal infirmary, Edinburgh, for patients undergoing cardiac surgery to take account of any increase in the number of such operations at that hospital.
§ Mr. FairgrieveThe number of cardiac surgical beds at the Royal infirmary, Edinburgh, is already at the level recommended in the Kay report. The number of cardiac operations that can be performed is limited by operating theatre time and staffing levels; and Lothian health board has plans in hand to make further provision under both heads.
§ Mr. Ancramasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients (a) from Edinburgh and (b) from Scotland as a whole, underwent cardiac operations outside Scotland in (i) 1978, (ii) 1979 and (iii) 1980.
§ Mr. FairgrieveThis information is not available. Referrals are arranged between the consultants concerned and central records are not kept.