§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the running costs of the lithotripter given to St. Thomas's hospital; and how these are shared between the health authority, his Department and the British United Provident Association.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have agreed that our Department should meet from centrally reserved funds the annual cost of £145,000 of the staff to be employed by the West Lambeth health authority in the operation of the lithotripter, and also the cost of electrodes used in treating National Health Service patients which is estimated at about £200 for each treatment. The British United Provident Association is to meet the costs of servicing the machine, estimated at about £50,000 for the first year of operation, of electrodes used in the treatment of private412W patients, and of inpatient accommodation and related services provided for those patients. Other running costs such as water and electricity are to be shared between the health authority and BUPA in proportion to their respective use of the machine.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether access to the lithotripter given by the British United Provident Association to St. Thomas's hospital will be consistent with his Department's principle that common waiting lists should be used for highly specialised diagnosis and treatment and that the same criteria should be used for categorising paying and nonpaying patients.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe lithotripter at St. Thomas' hospital will be provided by BUPA and will remain its property. It has agreed that at least three quarters of those treated should be National Health Service patients. This is a very advantageous arrangement for the NHS and is in no way inconsistent with the six principles we ageed with the medical and dental professions to ensure equitable operation of private practice in the NHS.