§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure that quality standards in health care are not compromised by efficiency drives, and if he will make a statement. [36361]
§ Mr. HoramThe Government's aim is to spend as much of the available resources as possible on direct patient care. Efficiency savings which can be made within the health service produce additional resources for patient care. The quality of care provided by the national health service has risen since the introduction of the patients charter in 1991. At a local level, health authorities have a responsibility to ensure the provision of health services for the population in their area. Health authorities' and general practitioner fundholders' contracts with hospital and community trust providers should include provisions concerning quality. It is for individual provider trusts to determine how best to use their available resources to meet all the requirements of their contracts.