Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Harrington of Watford Excerpts
Tuesday 7th July 2015

(9 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
George Freeman Portrait George Freeman
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My answer of a few moments ago stands. Decisions on the commissioning of those machines are taken on a case-by-case basis locally. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has set out in guidance that cough-assist machines may be appropriate for some patients, but not in every area.

Lord Harrington of Watford Portrait Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con)
- Hansard - -

4. For what reasons his Department categorises corrective refractive eye surgery for medical purposes as cosmetic surgery.

Ben Gummer Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ben Gummer)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The Department does not categorise refractive laser eye surgery for medical purposes as cosmetic surgery. Laser eye surgery is regulated through providers registered with the Care Quality Commission. Doctors carrying out the surgery must be registered with the General Medical Council and, like all doctors, they must recognise and work within their competence.

Lord Harrington of Watford Portrait Richard Harrington
- Hansard - -

My constituent Mr Shabir Ahmed, whom I have visited, was repeatedly recommended, by the optician he went to for his NHS eye test, to have an eye operation involving complex refractive laser surgery. Over two years, the optician called him every month, bringing the price down until it was half what it was originally. It did not work out: the surgery led to a significant deterioration in his eyesight, and the company denies all responsibility and liability. It seems to me—

Lord Harrington of Watford Portrait Richard Harrington
- Hansard - -

Mr Speaker, please bear with me for two sentences. Surgery as complex as that needs the same kind of regulation as if it were in hospital.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Questions do need to be shorter, otherwise they will eat into everyone else’s time.