§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what reports he has received of the failure rates of operations involving replacement hips using biomet protheses and boneloc cement in(a) Rhydlafar hospital and (b) other hospitals in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [4491]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe failure rates of operations is a matter for NHS Trusts to address, in liaison with health authorities and GP fundholders. However, the NHS is 497W immediately informed of any particular product that gives rise for concern via various hazard notices issued by the Department on the advice of the Medical Devices Agency. One such notice on Boneloc was issued in 1995 and I understand that this product was subsequently withdrawn from use.