EPIDURAL ANAESTHESIA, ARACHNOIDITIS AND INFORMED CONSENT

Early day motion 355, tabled 27 October 1997 by Roger Godsiff (Labour). Signed by 46 members.

That this House draws to the attention of the Secretary of State for Health sufferers of arachnoiditis, a disabling and incurable spinal condition; expresses the gravest concern that the number of sufferers continues to increase as a result of current medical practice and the widespread use of invasive back treatments in hospitals; welcomes the increased use of non-invasive techniques such as the MRI scan, but notes that treatments such as myelograms and radiculograms, using all contrast agents as well as epidurals for pain and unrelated surgery, especially those given during childbirth, set up an irreversible cycle of damage within the central nervous system; commends the work of the Arachnoiditis Trust in promoting awareness of and providing support for over 2500 sufferers; records that the terms of the Patient's Charter place no legal requirement on the medical profession fully to inform patients of the consequences of any treatment, particularly in respect of the use of drugs for which a product licence has not been granted and the necessary tests for safety and efficacy have not been completed; and calls on the Secretary of State to introduce a major Government-funded research programme into epidural anaesthesia and its known side-effects, to make arachnoiditis a notifiable disease in order that statistics are collected on the growing prevalence of the condition, and to introduce or support legislation that would ensure, as a statutory right, that patients are fully informed about proposed treatments, the possible alternatives and any substantial risks so that they can make a balanced judgement.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Conservative 8, Liberal Democrat 4, UUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1.