§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to restrict the performance of keyhole surgery to surgeons trained in the specialty.
§ Mr. SackvilleMinimally invasive techniques have been used safely and effectively in various surgical specialties for many years. There is no one branch of surgery specifically devoted to these techniques.
We are now talking to the royal colleges about a new system which will bring together groups of experts under the auspices of the royal colleges to evaluate major advances in surgery and medicine.
It is for individual provider hospitals to ensure high standards of practice for all patients and for purchasing 417W authorities to ensure that their populations have access to high quality care. Surgeons practising minimal access techniques should he properly trained in those techniques and junior trainees should be closely supervised by experienced staff.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will add to the patient's charter the right to have surgery performed by a registered medical practitioner trained in surgery.
§ Mr. SackvilleNo. All procedures should be carried out by an appropriate person. A consultant will normally have overall responsibility for the care of a particular patient.