HC Deb 22 February 1966 vol 725 cc74-5W
Mr. Will Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health whether the review of pay beds which he has asked hospital boards to undertake will include a review of the future of the private patients' wing at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Mr. K. Robinson

Yes.

Mr. Will Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health whether the fees paid by patients in the private patients' wing of the Manchester Royal Infirmary are sufficient to cover maintenance costs of the buildings, wages and salaries and other overhead expenses; and whether he will estimate, to the nearest convenient date, the amount of costs borne on public funds.

Mr. K. Robinson

Charges to private patients in all the hospitals of the United Manchester Hospitals Group are calculated in accordance with the Pay-Bed Regulations, 1953, and are designed to ensure that the hospital authorities recover the whole cost, including overhead charges, of the accommodation and services provided for private patients in these hospitals, in accordance with Section 5(1) of the National Health Service Act, 1946.