To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he is making in implementing the recommendations of the confidential inquiry into peri-operative deaths; how many hospitals now comply with these and how many do not; and what estimate has been made of the costs of implementation.

Since publication of the report of the confidential enquiry into perioperative deaths—CEPOD —in 1986 considerable progress has been made in implementing its recommendations. Apart from drawing it to the attention of health authorities we made funds available in 1988 to extend the work nationally from the original three region study. National CEPOD produced its first report in 1990. In addition, we have built on the professional commitment demonstrated in the report and have financed the general introduction of medical audit. Consultants are expected by the medical colleges to participate in national CEPOD.We do not collect information centrally about the number of hospitals complying with the recommendations, nor has an estimate been made of the costs of implementation.