§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the scheme for specialist medical care for patients with life-threatening conditions in the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of Montserrat, for whom appropriate care is not available on the island, was last reviewed; and what account was taken of the impact of the volcanic crisis in eroding the island's medical services. [HL3397]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanSince 1 April 1989, the UK/Montserrat to refer up to four patients needing hospital care, for which adequate facilities do not exist in Montserrar, to the UK each year. The agreement itself has not been formally reviewed since 1989, although administrative arrangements for referrals were revisited earlier this year.
Substantial efforts have been made to restore, rebuild and maintain public health services and facilities on Montserrat since the volcanic crisis. This has included over£5 million in funding from the Department for International Development for the construction and equipping of a hospital, rehabilitation of primary care clinics, a new operating theatre and the training of health Personnel. Effective basic public health services have continued on the island since the crisis supported by Her Majesty's Government's budgetary aid to the Government of Montserrat.
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§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many patients with life-threatening conditions in the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of Montserrat, for whom appropriate medical care is not available on the island, are currently awaiting help under the scheme for specialist medical care outside the territory; and whether timely referrals will be achieved in each case. [HL3398]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UK/Montserrat healthcare agreement allows Montserrat to send up to four patients needing hospital care for which adequate facilities do not exist in Montserrat to the UK each year. It is not a prerequisite for the acceptance of a referral that the condition requiring treatment is life-threatening, though most referrals do involve serious conditions. In the current referral year (April 2003 to April 2004) the UK has so far accepted one patient for treatment under the quota arrangements. A proposed second patient is awaiting placement for a hip replacement operation. The average waiting time in the UK for such an operation is currently 9 to 12 months and patients referred under reciprocal agreements are treated with the same priority according to their clinical need as patients resident in the UK.