§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued about the use of plastic in hip joint replacement operations; and how many operations are still carried out using metal in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Department has not issued any guidelines on the use of plastic in hip joint replacement operations.
All hip joint operations carried out in the United Kingdom use one or more metal components as part of the joint replacement device. Metal components may be used in combination with other metals, plastics and ceramics, depending upon the design of the particular hip system selected by the clinician.
The number of hip replacement operations in England for 1990–91 was 44,477. Information relating to Wales, 267W Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.