§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will ask British United Provident Association to extend its end of May deadline for a decision on the installation of a renal stone lithotripter for its priority use at St. Thomas's hospital;
(2) whether his approval is required for the establishment of a renal stone lithotripter at St. Thomas's hospital with up to 25 per cent. priority use by British United Provident Association patients;
568W(3) why the renal stone lithotripter at St. Thomas's hospital is not being provided entirely at the expense of the National Health Service;
(4) whether he is satisfied that a 25 per cent. priority use of a renal stone lithotripter at St. Thomas's hospital by British United Provident Association reflects this organisation's share of the total direct and indirect costs of providing, servicing and running the new renal stone facilities which it would permit.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI understand that the British United Provident Association has made a proposal to the West Lambeth health authority that BUPA should purchase a Dornier lithotripter and install it at St. Thomas' hospital, on the basis that three-quarters of the use would be by health service patients. At its meeting on 9 May the authority decided in principle to accept this proposal subject to an acceptable agreement being concluded with BUPA. Health authorities have been directed by the National Health Service Functions (Directions to Authorities and Administration Arrangements) Regulations 1982 to exercise my right hon. Friend's functions under National Health Service legislation and do not require his specific approval to make arrangements of this kind.
It is primarily for the health authority to satisfy itself that the terms to be agreed between itself and BUPA are fair as regards the relationship between the proportion of health service patients and the share of the cost to be borne from health service funds. My understanding of the arrangements proposed is that they are extremely favourable to the health service which would acquire the major use of this costly equipment without being required to contribute to its purchase price.
I have agreed in principle that, if agreement is reached between the authority and BUPA, the Department should make a direct contribution to the recurrent cost of the 569W development, on the grounds that a substantial proportion of patients are likely to be referred from outside the South East Thames Region.
I am not aware that a deadline has been set by BUPA for the authority's acceptance of its proposal.