NHS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Early day motion 1683, tabled 15 September 2003 by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 31 members.

That this House congratulates the Nursing Times for its campaign to improve the availability and quality of medical equipment used by nursing staff; notes that a survey carried out by the journal found that one in five nurses said they had been forced to re-use equipment intended for single use only, one in five said they have been expected to use broken equipment, one third said they had been expected to use equipment they had not been trained to use, and one in 10 said they could not access defibrillators; and calls on the government to take steps to ensure that nurses have the equipment they need to do their jobs, including ensuring that all equipment is maintained and in good working order, that appropriate training is provided, that single use equipment is not re-used, and that outdated equipment is replaced.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 19, Labour 5, DUP 3, Conservative 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1.