§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether general practitioners are permitted to make charges for sending a patient registered with them whom they see in a National Health Service consultation to a private consultant; or whether this is covered by the remuneration received in the capitation fee.
§ Dr. VaughanA general practitioner is obliged, under his NHS terms of service, to refer a patient, when necessary,282W for a National Health Service specialist consultation, and his remuneration covers that; but he is not obliged to refer a patient to a private consultant. He is free to do so, if the patient wishes, but is not permitted to demand or accept a fee.