§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost to the national blood transfusion service of handling blood supplied to private hospitals.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe information requested is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is taken by his Department against National Health Service employees or consultants who breach the rules governing the supply of the national blood transfusion service to private hospitals; and how many times action has been taken in each year since 979–80.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAny action is a matter for health authorities to determine. Information about the number of cases is not held centrally.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the current rules governing the supply of blood by the national blood transfusion service to private hospitals;
(2) whether he is considering changes in the rules governing the supply of blood by the national blood transfusion service to private hospitals.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeReasonable requests from private hospitals are met free of charge according to availability and clinical need on condition that no profit is made from the blood. We are, however, considering whether to introduce a charge to cover handling and processing costs.