§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the ratio of public to private staff is for work carried out at the Redwood unit on behalf of the NHS; [24587]
(2) if NHS patients treated at the Redwood hospital in Redhill will be given the same level of facilities as private patients treated there. [24605]
§ Mr. HuttonThe detailed arrangements for operation of the BUPA Redwood facility as a diagnostic and treatment centre for national health service patients are currently in development between BUPA and the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. It is not possible to say at this stage what the ratio of public to private staff will be or how the facilities will be used for NHS patients. This information will be made available prior to commencement of the new arrangements. Human Resource issues are of paramount importance in the development of this concept, and the trust will be working closely with the Department to ensure that the most appropriate arrangements are agreed.
We are also committed to ensuring that NHS patients treated at BUPA Redwood receive a high standard of treatment.