§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid to the private healthcare industry for procedures carried out on behalf of NHS patients, broken down by health authority for each of the last three years. [117701]
§ Ms StuartThe amount of National Health Service funds spent on the provision of services for NHS patients treated outside the NHS (in the independent healthcare sector comprising of for profit hospitals, not for profit hospitals, voluntary hospitals/hospices and independent clinics), for the last three years are as follows:
- 1998–99: £1.25 billion (4.8 per cent. of total NHS expenditure)
- 1997–98: £1.08 billion (4.6 per cent. of total NHS expenditure)
- 1996–97: £0.87 billion (3.8 per cent. of total NHS expenditure)
A breakdown showing the expenditure by individual health authority, including the proportion spent on services outside the NHS has been placed in the Library.
Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent of the use of private sector health facilities by the NHS in the last year. [117404]
§ Ms StuartDuring 1998–99, £1.25 billion (4.8 per cent. of total National Health Service spending on the provision of health services) was spent on services commissioned outside the NHS (from the private healthcare industry and charitable and voluntary organisations). Over half was spent on residential care, mainly for learning disability and mental illness patients.