§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what rules govern the use of National Health Service radiological and laboratory out-of-hours services by private clinics and hospitals; and, where out-of-hours radiological and laboratory services are available for private patients, what charges are made for them.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeHealth authorities have discretionary power under section 58 of the National Health Service Act 1977 to provide services to private clinics and hospitals. Charges made are decided by the authorities according to the extent of services supplied.
Charges to private patients in NHS hospitals are based on the average total costs to the NHS of patient care. No separate charge is made for "out-of-hours" cover.
§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department makes any recommendations about the number of private laboratory and radiological investigations carried out in National Health Service facilities.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe supply of services by health authorities to private patients and the independent sector are governed by section 62 of the National Health Service Act 1977, which requires that there must be no significant interference with the provision of NHS services or disadvantage to NHS patients. Subject to this important qualification, health authorities are encouraged to co-operate fully with the independent sector and the medical profession in the provision of services for the private practice of medicine and to recover proper charges for those services.