FOI Request
- Disclosure ID
- FOI/03541
- Request Date
- January 27, 2020
- Subject
- Cardiac Pacemakers
- Description
We are conducting a survey of NHS Foundation Trusts to determine the extent to which Trusts are using the consent form or similar in Health Notice HN(83)6 (attached) for the fitting of cardiac pacemakers. In particular, we are interested in whether patients are being routinely asked to consent to the ownership of the pacemaker being vested in the Trust after their death.
The purpose of our seeking this information is to update our guidance to funeral directors as to whether pacemakers should be returned to NHS Foundation Trusts when removed from deceased persons.
Please could you confirm whether your Trust is asking patients to consent to the ownership of pacemakers being vested in the Trust after their death. If so, please could you confirm:
1). When has such consent been routinely obtained;
2). How many patients were fitted with cardiac pacemakers in 2018 and 2019; and
3). The number of times you sought this consent in 2018 and 2019.
- Response
1). This is not part of our consent process, and our operators whom have worked at many trusts over the last 30 years are not aware of this forming part of the consent for implantable devices.
2). The figures below are total number of cardiac devices (including pacemakers)
2018: 853
2019: 933
3). None