§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there are no shock-wave machines for the treatment of patients with kidney stones in the west midlands region.
§ Mrs. Currie[pursuant to her reply, 21 October 1987, c 808]: Shock-wave treatment (lithotripsy) for patients with kidney stones is a relatively new technique. We have made it clear that we expect it to develop eventually into a regional service but it is for health authorities to decide whether, and if so when, to install a machine which is likely to cost between £500,000 and £1 million, depending on the equipment chosen. Several are already in operation or will shortly become operational elsewhere in the country and it is open to clinicians in the west midlands to refer patients to centres where the treatment is available.