§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the guidelines covering the buying in of services from private hospitals and clinics by the NHS; which NHS hospitals in London currently make use of such arrangements; and if she will list those services.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department encourages the cost-effective co-operation and contracting between the national health service and independent sector. This increases the range of options available to patients, their general practitioners and health service managers.
Details of such arrangements are not held centrally; the extent to which NHS hospitals contract with private hospitals and clinics is for local decision.