§ Baroness Barkerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance will be given to the National Health Service regarding the purchase of clinical and medical services from St George's Medical School, Grenada. [HL1246]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The National Health Service is able to purchase care from international healthcare providers by either referring patients to overseas hospitals or inviting overseas clinical teams to provide services within the United Kingdom. Recent changes to the NHS Act 1977 give primary care trusts the opportunity to purchase care on a global basis. General guidance on the purchasing of treatment and the use of medical teams from overseas is available to all NHS trusts and to potential providers via the Department of Health's website. PCTs and lead commissioners are encouraged to consider proposals from all interested providers explaining to them what is required to meet their specifications.