Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 May 1998. It was answered by Alan Milburn (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 May 1998 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to review the safety and appropriateness of laser surgery to correct short sight.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to review the safety and appropriateness of laser surgery to correct short sight. [41586] Mr. Milburn: The Department is consulting the Royal College of Ophthalmologists about this procedure, which is not available under the National Health Service but carried out in private clinics. The College has undertaken to provide information on complications and clinical standards. This will inform a judgment about the adequacy of the regulatory provisions currently available.

Secondary information