Current status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 3 March 2011
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gives to NHS boards on the treatment and care of patients who are suitable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
The Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) provides information to NHS boards on the clinical and cost effectiveness of existing and new technologies to support planning and decision making.
The most recent advice to NHS boards on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was issued by the Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) on 5 August 2010. The SHTG advice statement noted that transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is not recommended for use for the treatment of patients with aortic stenosis. The statement can be accessed at:
http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/files/TAVI_AdviceStatement_050810.pdf.
The Making Difficult Decisions in NHS Boards in Scotland report, published in March 2010, gives NHS boards outline guidance on managing individual patient decisions in relation to both medicines and technology.