HC Deb 15 May 1978 vol 950 cc36-7W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in for Official Report the list of bad debts for private practice in hospitals which his Department is seeking to recover through foreign embassies; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle

The recoverey of private patients' charges due to National Health Service hospitals is a matter for area health authorities and boards of governors. My Department is prepared to make representations to, or inquiries of, foreign missions on behalf of health authorities where it is thought that this may assist in recovery of outstanding debts.

At present my officials are in touch with two foreign missions about outstanding accounts totalling £6,931.60 in respect of private treatment of patients sponsored by the Goverenments concerned. The help and advice of foreign missions is also sought in tracing the whereabouts of, and recovering debts from, persons who have themselves contracted privately to pay the cost of hospital treatment but have left the United Kingdom before settling their accounts. My Department is taking, or contemplating, such action in the following cases:

Patient's country of origin No. of cases Amount Due
£
Syria 1 2,147.60
Greece 2 11,330.50
Sudan 1 1,803.75
Cyprus 1 5,614.60

I also refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to the right hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Jenkins) on 12th April.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total of bad debts due from foreign users of National Health Service hospitals; and if this sum also includes personal fees due to consultants.

Mr. Moyle

Information on outstanding pay bed accounts is not available centrally and could not be collected without disproportionate cost. The total amount of pay bed debts written off each year is estimated to be less than one per cent. of the total income received from private patients. I have no separate information on overseas patients, nor on the amounts due to consultants by way of professional fees.