§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will study the boundaries between the National Health Service and private treatment to ensure that such boundaries are clearly defined;
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that patients, doctors and other National Health Service staff clearly understand whether or not treatment is being carried out under the National Health Service; and if he will consider an additional certificate to be issued to patients informing them that they are receiving National Health Service treatment.
§ Dr. VaughanThere should be no problem about knowing whether a patient is being treated under the NHS or being treated privately. I do not believe a new certificate such as the hon. Member suggests is necessary. Private patients being treated at NHS hospitals give an undertaking to pay the charges. Health authorities have been reminded of the need to obtain this undertaking before admission or treatment and to ensure patients are fully informed of the charges to which they are liable. So far as treatment by general practitioners is concerned, the hon. Member may like to refer to my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 5 May.—[Vol. 4, c.3.]