§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of morbidity and mortality rates 481W associated with surgical intervention for similar operations between (a) 10 pm and 6 am and (b) 6 am and 10 pm. [125458]
§ Mr. DenhamThis information is not collected centrally in this way. The National Confidential Enquiry into Peri-operative Deaths, known as NCEPOD, reports each year on deaths in hospital following surgery. Their 1995–96 report "Who operates when" gives information on operative practice for three periods, between the hours of 6 pm and midnight, midnight and 8 am and 8 am and 6 pm. A summary of their reports can be accessed via their website www.ncepod.org.uk.