HC Deb 24 October 2001 vol 373 c309W
Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health who authorises sending NHS patients for surgery in Europe. [9427]

Mr. Hutton

Under the E112 scheme provided by European Community law for referral of individual patients for hospital treatment within the European Economic Area (EEA) authorisations are made by the Department on behalf of England, Wales and Scotland, generally after obtaining the agreement of the patient's national health service consultant and health authority. Northern Ireland operates its authorisation scheme independently.

Following recent rulings of the European Court of Justice NHS bodies now have the power to commission treatment for their patients in EEA countries, as part of wider efforts to reduce waiting times.