§ 20. Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken to improve the amount of information available to national health service patients under the patients charter.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe patients charter gives patients a right to information on local health services. Health authorities are making this information available to patients in many ways, including local charters, through the local media, leaflets, posters and public meetings. All district health authorities also publish annual reports on performance against patients charter standards. Providers are also required to display details of performance. In addition in January 1993 a national freephone service—0800 665544—was introduced which provides callers with information about local national health service services, patients charter standards, common diseases, waiting times, how to complain about national health service services as well as health advice. In June 1994 the National Health Service Management Executive will be publishing national health service performance tables for the first time.