§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will undertake an enquiry into the death of Mr. John Gibson following the refusal of medical treatment by Mr. Robert Lamb, consultant surgeon at Southampton General Hospital on the grounds that he smoked tobacco; and whether they will order the suspension from his post of Mr. Lamb pending the outcome of such an enquiry.
§ Baroness CumberlegeSouthampton University Hospital National Health Service Trust has investigated events leading up to the tragic death of Mr. John Gibson and are satisfied there are no grounds either for disciplinary action to be taken against staff or for their policy to be reviewed. There is no ban on operations for smokers. A patient admitted in a life-threatening state will be treated, although the form of that treatment and the need for a patient to give up smoking as part of the treatment will be determined by the patient's clinician.