Written question asked by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Wednesday, 1 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 3 March 2006. It was answered by Shaun Woodward (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 March 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Patient Costs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make the costs involved in using a continuous positive airway pressure machine at home refundable to the patient.

Answer: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are used by people suffering from sleep apnoea to ensure they continue to breathe while asleep. The machines are supplied and maintained free of charge in patients' homes. The running costs involved in using a CPAP machine at home are negligible and not refundable. This is consistent with current practice on the use of a range of devices requiring electricity that are supplied by hospitals for domestic use. There are no plans to change this.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 56350; 443 c1589W;443 c1589W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Costs Medical treatments Patients Northern Ireland Medical equipment Sleep apnoea Sleep
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk