Written question asked by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 6 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 November 2003. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospitals have equipment and trained professionals in place to provide photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figure.

Answer: Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have equipment and trained professionals in place to provide photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement. [138053] Ms Rosie Winterton: There are approximately 30 centres providing photodynamic therapy. Some are well established, others are coming on stream. We expect that up to 50 centres will be set up to deliver the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's recommendations. As a specialised service, we expect commissioners to plan for centres to serve a population of not less than a million.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 138053; 413 c1120W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Hospitals Diseases Eyesight Equipment Medical treatments Medical devices Macular degeneration Training
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk