§ 3. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to increase the weekly payment of five guineas offered to institutions outside the National Health Service for amenity beds.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind. There is no standard rate of payment to institutions outside the National Health Service for the treatment of National Health Service patients, and it is for regional hospital boards to agree the charges with individual institutions.
§ Mr. PageIs it not a fact that it costs about 12 guineas a week to maintain an amenity bed in a hospital and that regional boards are offering nursing 580 homes only five guineas a week? Would it not be a saving to the National Health Service and an encouragement to the nursing homes if a little more were offered to the nursing homes to provide these beds?
§ Mr. MacleodThe charge for amenity beds is actually four guineas a week. So far as beds in nursing homes are concerned, all I have issued is general guidance; I have not specified five guineas or, indeed, any other sum. If my hon. Friend has a case in mind which is causing particular difficulty, perhaps he will talk to me about it later.
§ Mr. FernyhoughWill the Minister give an assurance that those who can pay will not be able to get beds merely because they can pay and in priority to those who cannot pay and who may be more in need of medical treatment?
§ Mr. MacleodI am not sure that I follow that question, but I rather think so.