§ 100. Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposals for contracts within the National Health Service on services to patients.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on provisions for new district health authority contracts with hospitals outside their area.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe proposals for contract funding for hospitals by district health authorities within the National Health Service will result in better standards of care and more choice for patients. They will enable the district health authorities to use their resources to obtain the best value for money in terms of high quality consumer-responsive services for their population. Districts will have a clear responsibility to ensure that a full range of health care services is available. They will specify the services required from each hospital or other unit, whether or not it is under their direct managerial control. More important, they will also specify the quality standards expected and ensure that these are met.