§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the major joint prostheses that have been approved by her Department for use by surgeons within the NHS.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department does not have a scheme for the approval of individual joint prostheses.
121WThe medical devices directorate within the Department, operates a voluntary manufacturer registration scheme. This scheme identifies manufacturers whose facilities and practices enable them to manufacture to a consistent standard of quality and who are able to give declarations of compliance with safety and performance standards. All major manufacturers of joint prostheses are registered under this scheme. The national health service is advised to buy these devices only from registered sources.