§ Matthew GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been burnt by radiators in GP surgeries in each of the past 10 years; and what he estimates to be the cost to GP practices of installing radiator guards in every surgery in the UK. [31029]
§ Ms BlearsThere are about 10,500 general practitioner premises in England. Information on the numbers of radiators and incidents is not collected centrally.
131WBurns from radiators are not reportable under the Reporting of Incidents, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. To collect the information requested would incur disproportionate costs.
We estimate it would cost approximately £100 to fit a guard to a radiator.
In 1998 National Health Service Estates issued guidance relating to low surface temperatures (Health Guidance Note "Safe Hot Water and Surface Temperatures"). The installation of low surface temperature radiators is advised in all health care settings. This eliminates the need for guard installation.