HC Deb 15 July 2003 vol 409 cc232-3W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Early Day Motion 1494 (Ophthalmic Laser Treatment). [125024]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommends that only qualified ophthalmologists should be able to undertake laser eye surgery and that they should have undertaken additional specialist training in refractive surgery.

Establishments where Class 4 laser treatment (the type used in laser eye surgery) is provided are required to be registered with the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) as independent hospitals, under the Care Standards Act 2000. Establishments are required to meet certain standards, amongst which is the requirement to ensure that all staff using lasers and intense pulsed light sources use them only for treatments for which they have been trained and, where appropriate, hold qualifications and that they receive regular training. Independent hospitals are inspected by the NCSC at least once every 12 months.