§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to issue direct contacts for the provision of services associated with the detection of inherited metabolic disease.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe recognise that particular care is required in developing appropriate contracting arrange-ments for specialist services which are provided for a disparate catchment population. The national health service management executive has agreed with regional general managers that regions should take a close interest in purchasing arrangements for such services, both in NHS trust hospitals and in those managed directly by districts. In taking on this role, regions have an interest in ensuring that those services which are required continue to be available and therefore that specialist services have a reasonable level of secure income.