§ Mr. RammellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish patient-GP contracts to ensure that all patients have agreed to private health treatment before undergoing that treatment. [8345]
§ Mr. MilburnThe General Practitioner's Terms of Service, as set out in Schedule 2 of the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, makes clear that GPs must not charge or accept a fee for336W any treatment given to patients who are registered with them for NHS treatment except where the Terms of Service specifically allow them to do so. It is open to Fundholding GPs to refer patients, free of charge, for treatment in private hospitals but this needs the agreement of the patient. Where a private fee can be charged or the patient can be referred for private treatment, the patient has to be informed and his or her consent secured.