§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct the Chief Executive of the NHS to provide patients with the option of a disclaimer allowing them to refuse treatment in private units. [137110]
§ Mr. DenhamThe option of a disclaimer allowing patients to refuse treatment in private units is unnecessary.
The concept of consent is implicit in the relationship between the general practitioner and the patient. The current Patient's Charter sets out the right
to be referred to a consultant acceptable to the patient, when the GP thinks it is necessary.This means that the GP will advise of the consultant(s) he/she considers will give the best medical treatment, on the basis of clinical need and the expertise available, and the patient can choose which of those offered are acceptable.
If a patient is offered National Health Service treatment, which the GP in his/her professional opinion considers necessary, in a setting which the patient finds unacceptable and the patient decides not to take up that treatment, that is their choice.