HC Deb 08 March 1978 vol 945 cc702-3W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the average waiting times for X-rays and Barium meal examinations in Calderdale, in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region and nationally; to what extent these waiting times for National Health Service patients are being extended by private patients undertaking X-ray and Barium meal examination; what payment is received by the National Health Service for the use of the necessary equipment by private patients; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle

Information on average waiting times is not collected centrally in the form requested. Neither is it practicable to quantify the precise effects on National Health Service waiting times of private practice within the National Health Service.

The charges payable by private patients are determined nationally by my right hon. Friend and are designed to recover overall the cost to the NHS of providing hospital accommodation and services to private patients as a whole. The charge from 1st April for a barium meal examination on an out-patient basis will be £12.80.

I will let my hon. Friend have a reply to his recent letter about the position in Calderdale when I have completed my inquiries of the area health authority.