HC Deb 01 November 1988 vol 139 c587W
41. Mr. Couchman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new proposals he has for improving the efficiency of the National Health Service.

Mrs. Currie

The National Health Service is not a business, but it has to be more business-like. There is still a huge gulf between the best and the worst in terms of efficiency, customer choice, standards, good management and clear decision-taking. The Government intend to spread the best qualities of the enterprise economy more widely throughout the National Health Service, and we shall be bringing forward proposals to this end in the new year.