§ Mr. DoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which(a) health boards and (b) NHS trusts have funded referrals to the Spinal Foundation in Rochdale of patients suffering from spinal injuries in the last five years. [103764]
§ Mr. DenhamThe information requested is not available centrally.
§ Mr. DoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has undertaken into the clinical effectiveness of endoscopic laser-assisted foraminoplasty in relation to patients suffering from spinal injuries. [103765]
§ Mr. DenhamEndoscopic laser foraminoplasty was referred to the Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures (SERNIP) in July 1999. SERNIP found that the evidence presently available did not demonstrate safety and efficacy, and categorised the procedure as one that should be used only as part of a primary research programme, using appropriate methodology and registered with SERNIP.