§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated regarding (i) the cost effectiveness, (ii) the popularity among patients and (iii) the health benefits of dedicated podiatric surgical services units. [96207]
§ Mr. HuttonThe King's Fund undertook a study of the cost-effectiveness of podiatric surgery services in response to podiatric surgery being identified as one of nine research priorities in "Feet First", which was funded by the National Health Service. The King's Fund report set out to answer the question, Do specialists in podiatry surgery represent a clinically and cost-effective way of providing for foot surgery? The report stated that there was not enough information to allow a satisfactory answer to be given to the question.
Following the review of "Feet First", the Department's research and development division have undertaken a review of the literature of general practice podiatry, which was completed in September 1999. The review investigated the then current nature of research publications. The review has not yet been published but will demonstrate the need for better quality research in this area.
976W
§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost per episode of care treatment for(a) outpatients and (b) inpatients by (i) orthopaedic surgeons and (ii) podiatric surgeons. [96206]
§ Mr. HuttonThere are no comparable figures available because information regarding podiatric surgery is not collected centrally. However, figures for the speciality of orthopaedic surgery are
Cost per episode of patients using a bed (including day cases) is £1,491.07;Cost per attendance of outpatients (including nurse clinic and ward attenders) is £56.26.Source:
National Health Service Trust Financial Returns 1997–98