§ Mr. Molloyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet in a position to make proposals for the introduction of common waiting lists for National Health Service and paying patients to be admitted to National Health Service hospitals.
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§ Mr. EnnalsIn accordance with section 6 of the Health Services Act 1976 the Health Services Board submitted a report on common waiting lists (Cmnd. 6828). This report has been the subject of widespread consultations with the medical profession, health authorities and other interested bodies.
After consideration of the Board's recommendations and the various comments made upon them the Government reaffirms their commitment to common waiting lists to ensure equal access to NHS facilities. I have now written to the joint consultants' committee setting out the Government's proposals for implementing common waiting lists at an early date along the lines recommended by the Health Service Board.