§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there are hospital consultants who treat private patients using National Health Service beds and staff; and what action he proposes to take.
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§ Mr. AlisonYes. I would refer the hon. Members to Section 1 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, under which accommodation and services in National Health Service hospitals may be made available in connection with the treatment by National Health Service consultants under private arrangements of patients who undertake to pay the hospital authority the charges determined in accordance with that Section. The charges are designed to cover the cost of the accommodation and services so made available.