§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to regional and district health authorities and trusts with regard to the action which should be taken when patients from a particular purchaser require elective procedures in excess of the agreed ceiling of in-year activity.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyGeneral guidance on contracting was given in "Contracts for Health Services: Operational Principles" and "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Contracts"—copies of which are in the Library.
District health authorities will lay contracts which they judge will best meet the needs of local people within the resources available. Hospitals and other units will, as in the past, have to take management action, in close consultation with clinicians, to ensure that levels of activity do not run ahead of the resources available. They may, however, be able to agree with the purchaser an extension to the contract in year to cover additional services.