HC Deb 10 June 1986 vol 99 c147W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the current availability within the National Health Service of neurostimulator implants and as to the cost to the National Health Service of providing this treatment in the most recent financial year for which figures are available.

Mr. Whitney

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will refer to the supra regional services advisory group for review its 1985 decision to refuse funding for the neurostimulator programme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitney

No. North-East Thames regional health authority applied in February 1985 for the neurostimulator programme at the London hospital to be designated as a supra regional service, and the supra regional services advisory group recommended that the application be rejected. It is open to the regional health authority to apply again, but it has not done so.