Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Earl Howe (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 6 June 2007.

NHS: Denial of Treatment

Question: My Lords, is the noble Lord not describing a blanket policy, rather than a patient-specific decision?

Answer: My Lords, it is not a policy; this is a recommendation from an advisory committee of clinicians. My understanding is that the recommendation has not been formally consideredby the PCT and that it will be subject to public consultation. I have received an assurance that itis not a blanket ban on surgery, but it is not unreasonable for a PCT to develop a general policy for smokers, provided that, in the end, it comes down to an individual clinical decision. The clear evidence seems to be that it is better for a patient to stop smoking before they have an operation.

Secondary information