§ 48. Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he is doing to encourage joint ventures between the public and private sectors in the provision for health care for National Health Service patients.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe take every available opportunity to promote collaboration between the NHS and the independent health care sector as a means of maximising the benefits to patients from available resources. As recently as 28 June I addressed a seminar474W organised by the Royal Institute of Public Administration on this subject. Health authorities should make increased use of private sector facilities for the treatment of NHS patients wherever this is a cost-effective way of improving or extending the service they can provide.