§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have to increase opportunities for patients to choose the date, venue and doctor for their treatment within the National Health Service.
§ Mr. WakehamI have been asked to reply.
The Government's aim is to make sure that all patients receive the treatment that they need within a reasonable time. That is why we have launched a waiting list initiative backed up by a special fund of £50 million which we expect to bring about the treatment of 200,000 extra patients from the waiting list over two years.
65WThere are no plans to change the present system where a general practitioner may refer his patients to the consultant he considers most appropriate for their treatment. In doing so a general practitioner can take account of probable waiting time and location. Acceptance of the patient and date of admission is then a matter for the consultant's clinical judgment, taking into account the patient's availability for treatment.