HC Deb 01 March 1976 vol 906 cc478-9W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations she has had from representatives of junior hospital doctors about the Goodman proposals on pay beds: and what replies she has sent.

Mrs. Castle

None apart from the comments made to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State by junior doctors who lobbied the House on 24th February.

Mr. Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Irish Republic is treated as "overseas" for the purposes of her policy on pay beds.

Mrs. Castle

Pay beds are currently authorised under the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 and a patient who pays the determined charge may be admitted to such a bed irrespective of his country of origin. The Government intend to introduce a Bill shortly for the separation of private practice from NHS hospitals, but I cannot anticipate its contents.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she intends to delay the introduction of legislation on pay beds and private sector licensing until her proposed discussions on licensing have been held.

Mrs. Castle

I have already been in touch with leaders of the professions about discussions on the two outstanding matters envisaged in the proposals published on 15th December last year, the contents of the schedule and the control of the private sector. I have circulated to health authorities draft proposals for the schedule of 1,000 pay beds to be phased out which the Government intend to include in the Bill which we shall be publishing before Easter and have asked them to discuss these with representatives of the medical and dental profession and other health service staff at the local level and to let me have their comments not later than 7th April. There will be consultations with the professions and other interests at the national level during the same period. A copy of the letter to area health authorities has been placed in the Library. Consultations on paragraph 3(f) of the proposals of 15th December are continuing.