§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate claims made by surgeons at Pinderfield hospital, Wakefield, that patients are having to wait for certain operations until instruments can be borrowed from manufacturers.
§ Mrs. CurrieA variety of systems are in use for the nailing of fractures and for such operations as knee implants.
The free loan instruments come as part of a package when the implant material is purchased. Four weeks ago the Wakefield orthopaedic surgeons were asked to make a clinical decision to select one of the several fracture nailing systems now available. This would enable the instruments to be available on permanent, rather than ad hoc loan. A formal response from the surgeons to this request for a decision has not yet been submitted.
We have no information on any patient being inconvenienced as a result.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received seeking action to enable the Wakefield health authority to resume the provision of artificial fingers to patients under treatment at Pinderfield hospital.
§ Mrs. CurrieNone. The supply of artificial limbs and appliances, including fingers, to NHS patients is the responsibility of the disablement services authority. The hon. Member may therefore wish to contact the regional manager of the Leeds disablement services centre, Chapel Allerton hospital, Harehills Lane, Leeds LS7 4EZ for information on the service.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received seeking action to enable the Wakefield health authority to resume knee implant operations at Pinderfield hospital.
§ Mrs. CurrieNone.