Less-invasive Technologies

HC Deb 19 July 2004 vol 424 cc118-9W

Andy King

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the use of less-invasive technologies in the NHS. [174965]

Mr. Hutton

Many diseases and illnesses which have been routinely treated with surgical intervention are now being successfully managed or cured with less invasive forms of treatment. Last year the Department issued guidelines to the national health service governing the use of new interventional procedures. The guidelines are supported by the work of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

NICE is responsible for assessing the safety and efficacy of new technologies to protect the safety of patients. It also supports clinicians in the process of managing and introducing new procedures.