§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the criteria set down to define treatment suitable for day surgical care; and if she will make a statement about the future of day care surgery.
§ Mr. SackvilleHospital consultants are responsible for making clinical judgments about the suitability of individual patients for day surgery treatments. In 1992 the Royal College of Surgeons produced guidelines which stated that day surgery is now considered the best option for 50 per cent. of all patients undergoing elective surgical procedures. The introduction of new surgical techniques, and developments in anaesthesia, are increasing the range of operations which can be carried out on a day care basis.