§ Mr. LukeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is on the purchase by health authorities of wheelchairs and mobility products made in Britain; [30339]
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that the wheelchairs and mobility products purchased by health authorities meet British fire safety standards. [30336]
§ Jacqui SmithThe National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency has negotiated a national contract for powered and manual wheelchairs (for England). The wheelchairs supplied under this contract conform to all relevant British and European safety standards.
Although health authorities and NHS trusts are expected to use this national contract they do have the freedom to purchase from different suppliers, depending on local circumstances. It is therefore their responsibility to ensure the contracts conform to all relevant British and European safety standards.
§ Mr. LukeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the level of safety standards on wheelchair and mobility products being purchased by health authorities. [30337]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Medical Devices Agency, (MDA), maintains a database of all incidents reported to them concerning safety or quality problems with wheelchairs. MDA regularly carry out trend analysis on the content of reports received from United Kingdom, Europe and United States of America and also on the outcomes of any subsequent investigations. If these trends reveal the need for individual manufacturers to re-design their products or improve their usage instructions, labelling, repair instructions or quality control etc manufacturers are informed and MDA monitor the situation until appropriate improvements are made. Also, if any of these trends reveal a shortcoming in an issued British standard concerning wheelchairs or a need for a new standard, the MDA work with the British Standards Institution, (BSI), to make any necessary revisions or assist with the drafting of any new standard.
MDA maintain regular contact with the Purchasing and Supply Agency to ensure that they can consider any possible effects on existing or future purchase agreements.
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§ Mr. LukeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he takes to monitor the safety and quality of wheelchairs purchased by health authorities. [30338]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Medical Devices Agency, (MDA), has specific responsibility on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to safeguard public health where medical devices are involved. MDA has an established wide ranging reporting system, which is open to users, carers and health care staff etc who wish to report safety or quality problems concerning medical devices. Within the Medical Device Regulations manufacturers are legally bound to report to MDA on any serious safety problems concerning their devices. MDA also carry out pro-active investigations on a range of manufacturers to ensure that they are in compliance with the requirements of the regulations.
Within this overall remit, MDA has a specific unit responsible for wheeled mobility devices where all reported incidents concerning the quality or safety of wheelchairs are considered. If the unit's investigation highlights a need for an improvement in a wheelchair's design, usage instructions or manufacturing process then appropriate action is taken with the manufacturer/supplier.