§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department monitors contractual arrangements between the National Health Service and the private medical sector.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe know from the annual accounts of health authorities the expenditure on 235W contractual arrangements for patient care. and we know from statistical returns the number of patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements. We encourage health authorities to make increased use of private sector facilities for the treatment of National Health Service patients wherever this is a cost-effective way of improving or extending the service they can provide.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an indication of the effect on (a) the capital spending approvals and (b) the revenue allocations for a district health authority if private care and treatment is purchased by an authority for National Health Service patients.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNeither is affected.