§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many NHS patients treated elsewhere in Europe have subsequently required further referrals; [71083]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the quality of outcomes of NHS patients treated elsewhere in Europe. [71082]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation about follow-up care following inpatient treatment and associated referrals for further treatment is not collected centrally from the national health service. NHS organisations may collect and analyse this kind of information, among other indicators of quality, as part of their local clinical governance arrangements designed to assure and continuously improve the quality of care for all NHS patients. Primary care trusts and NHS trusts are responsible for ensuring that NHS patients receive high clinical standards of care wherever they are treated.