§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 670, in what circumstances myopia may be treated by excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy at the expense of the national health service.
§ Dr. MawhinneyTreatment of myopia by laser is available on the national health service only as part of a clinical trial.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to her answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 670, regarding excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy, for each hospital during the period of the clinical trials, how many (a) NHS patients and (b) private patients have undergone one operation; how many (i) NHS patients and (ii) private patients have undergone both operations; how many (1) NHS patients and (2) private patients have completed their course of treatment; and how many (x) NHS patients and (y) private patients will not have completed their course of treatment by the end date of the clinical trials;
(2) pursuant to her answer of 15 February, Official Report, column 670, regarding excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy, what is the start and end date of the clinical trials at (a) St. Thomas's and (b) Moorfields eye hospitals;
(3) pursuant to her answer of 15 February, Official Report, column 670, what is the current size of the NHS waiting list for excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy; and what is the average monthly rate of operations for (a) NHS patients and (b) private patients in (i) St. Thomas's hospital and (ii) Moorfields eye hospital;
(4) pursuant to her answer of 15 February, Official Report, column 670, what is the cost per operation of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy; and what is the total cost of treating a patient under this programme at (a) St. Thomas's hospital and (b) Moorfields eye hospital.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe hon. Member may wish to contact Lord Hayhoe, chairman of Guy's and St. Thomas's hospital trust, and Mr. Hugh Peppiatt, chairman of the Moorfields eye hospital special health authority, for details.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 670, regarding excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy, if this procedure is undergoing clinical trials in any other national health service hospitals.
§ Dr. MawhinneyAs far as we are aware, no.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 670, regarding excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy, to what use the equipment will be put at the end of the clinical trials.
§ Dr. MawhinneyOne excimer laser is leased from the manufacturers and will revert to them. The other, purchased by a charitable fund for use in research at St. Thomas's, will continue to be used for that research.
217W