§ 16. Mrs. Faithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health authorities have now shown an interest in using commercial contractors to carry out work in the non-medical side of the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI am keen that health authorities should consider the use of outside contractors and should test the efficiency of their own services by seeking tenders. We expect shortly to issue guidance urging health authorities to take this approach on a pilot basis and report next year what progress has been made.