§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in what circumstances private patient officers are designated in the National Health Service;
(2) what are the functions of private patient officers in the National Health Service;
(3) how many private patient officers are in post; and at what cost to the National Health Service;
(4) what is his Department's estimate of the annual extra administrative cost to the National Health Service due the private patients.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkePrivate patient officers are designated in National Health Service hospitals where the treatment of private patients is authorised. Their duties are concerned with all non-clinical aspects of private patient activity, especially in relation to the implementation of control procedures for identifying private patients, recording admissions and attendances, and recovering charges. We do not record information on the number in post centrally, as it is for local management to make these appointments. We have made it clear that we regard failure to do so as a serious weakness that must be rectified. We do not specifically identify the extra cost of administering private patient business, but private patient charges take account of administration costs.