§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report his recommended scale of charges to be made by consultants providing services to private health care establishments under section 58 of the National Health Service Act 1977.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSection 58 of the 1977 Act empowers health authorities to make NHS accommodation and services available to independent health care bodies. Charges are for local determination and should normally cover the full cost to the NHS of providing the facilities. Consultants may negotiate separately with, and obtain fees from, a third party, or a sessional assessment may be made within the consultant's NHS contract.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost to the National Health Service in each year since 1974–75 of National Health Service acute patients treated by private hospitals.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe do not collect centrally detailed information of this kind.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his responsibility for standards of care in private hospitals including the adequacy and availability of radiological pathology facilities.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDistrict health authorities are responsible for the registration and inspection of private570W nursing homes and hospitals. We have recently strengthened the powers of health authorities by the provisions of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudication Act 1984 and published new regulations which will corn into effect on 1 January 1985. The legislation requires authorities to be satisfied with the adequacy of facilities and services provided in individual establishments, having regard to their size and the number, age, sex and condition of their patients.