Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the NHS Improving Quality Programme recommendation of the use of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression devices in stroke units to prevent potentially fatal blood clots in patients who have suffered stroke.

NHS Improving Quality estimates the cost to the National Health Service of treating stroke patients who would benefit with intermittent pneumatic compression would be around £2.5 million per annum. This cost will be offset by the reduction in use of stockings and medication which have been shown to be ineffective in preventing deep vein thrombosis in stroke patients.