Written question asked by Gordon Marsden (Labour) on Thursday, 8 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 May 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 May 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions (a) his Department and (b) the Medical Devices Agency has held with (i) residential and nursing homes, (ii) NHS trusts and (iii) patients' groups on guidelines for the use of bed rails; and what plans there are to issue further guidelines.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions (a) his Department and (b) the Medical Devices Agency has held with (i) residential and nursing homes, (ii) NHS trusts and (iii) patients' groups on guidelines for the use of bed rails; and what plans there are to issue further guidelines. [113038] Jacqui Smith: There have been no recent direct discussions with these bodies by either the Department of Health or the Medical Devices Agency, now the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. There are no current plans to issue further guidelines, as we have recently issued 41,500 wall posters on this subject to care homes, the independent healthcare sector and the national health service, together with our guidance document, DB2001(04), "Advice on the safe use of bed rails". We are embarking upon a programme of countrywide training events for users of bed safety equipment in conjunction with the Disabled Living Centres Council. This will provide useful hands-on experience with a variety of current equipment to care assistants, nurses and occupational therapists.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 113038; 405 c737W;405 c736W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Care homes Accidents Hospital beds NHS trusts Safety Medical Devices Agency
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk