Written question asked by Lord Boswell of Aynho (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 April 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 25 April 2002 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 ensure that (a) electrically powered and (b) manual wheelchairs meet the health and safety requirements of their users in terms of their (i) inherent design, (ii) regular servicing and (iii) planned replacement. - (Holding answer 17 April 2002).

Answer: Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) electrically powered and (b) manual wheelchairs meet the health and safety requirements of their users in terms of their (i) inherent design, (ii) regular servicing and (iii) planned replacement. [48817] Ms Blears: [holding answer 17 April 2002]: The Medical Devices Agency, (MDA), has specific responsibility on behalf of the Secretary of State to safeguard public health where medical devices are involved. Within this overall remit, MDA has a specific unit responsible for wheeled mobility devices where all reported incidents concerning the quality or safety of wheelchairs are considered. If the units investigation highlights a need for an improvement in a wheelchairs design, usage or servicing information then appropriate action is taken with the manufacturer/supplier concerned. MDA has also issued comprehensive guidance to health services relating to the management of medical devices including the provision of appropriate repair and maintenance procedures and the consideration of whole life costs and life cycle of devices. This guidance has now been incorporated into the new NHS Controls Assurance Standards for medical devices to give all health services basic standards in this area.

Secondary information