§ Mr. Andrew HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent representations he has(a) made and (b) received about the non-prescribing of NICE approved treatment by primary care trusts on financial grounds; and if he will make a statement; [71916]
(2) what recent representations he has (a) made to and (b) received from primary care trusts and other NHS trusts about the continuation of postcode lottery in the prescribing of treatment; and if he will make a statement. [71917]
§ Mr. LammyThe Department has made no such representations and according to the Department's records, none have been received recently from primary care trusts (PCTs) and other National Health Service trusts about the alleged continuation of postcode prescribing of treatments.
PCTs are under a statutory obligation, set out in directions, to provide appropriate funding for treatments recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
PCTs have been made aware of these statutory obligations. I have not made any representations about alleged non-compliance with them, nor according to the Department's records, have any such representations been received.