§ Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements exist at district health authority level for the monitoring of private practice for outpatients and patients admitted to National Health Service and private hospitals; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergResponsibility for ensuring that suitable arrangements are maintained for the provision of accommodation and services to private in-patients and out-patients in NHS hospitals rests with district health authorities, which have been given guidance in health circular HC(82)7 and earlier circulars. District health authorities are also responsible for registering private hospitals under the Nursing Homes Act 1975. Guidance on the registration and inspection responsibilities of health authorities under this Act was given in health circular HC(81)8.