§ Mr. StinchcombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list NHS coronary care units indicating which units operate an upper age limit. [34322]
§ Mr. MilburnA list of coronary care units is not kept centrally. The Directory of Emergency and Special Care Units 1997, published by CMA Medical Data Ltd., Cambridge Research Laboratories, lists coronary care units in the United Kingdom. We are not aware of any units which operate an age limit for access to these services. However, we are aware that access to coronary services, including coronary care units, does vary. The White Paper "The New NHS" makes it clear that fair access to health services, based on clinical need, irrespective of age or any other factor, is one of our top priorities.