HC Deb 22 April 1987 vol 114 cc633-5W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list visits, showing at what ministerial or official level, which have taken place to (a) France, (b) New Zealand, (c) the United States of America and (d) Australia since 1983 to examine aspects of their health services.

Date Country Minister Subject of visit
April 1983 United States of America Secretary of State for Social Services Discussions with United States drug companies; drug misuse
September 1984 United States of America Minister of State for Health Primary health care
July 1985 United States of America Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health AIDS
May 1986 United States of America Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health Organ transplantation
January 1987 United States of America Secretary of State for Social Services AIDS

In addition, study trips by officials, generally at grade 7 level or above, have included the following:

Date Country Subject of visit
April 1983 France Health service organisation
June 1983 United States of America Health service management
September 1983 United States of America Contract cleaning
October 1983 United States of America Patient care systems
November 1983 France Health care costs
December 1983 United States of America Dental indicators
December 1984 France Cancer research
June 1985 United States of America AIDS
September 1985 United States of America Delivery of specimens

(2) what consideration has been given to, and what studies have taken place into, aspects of health service management or practice in (i) France, (ii) New Zealand, (iii) the United States of America and (iv) Australia since June 1983.

Mrs. Currie

[pursuant to her reply, 9 April 1987, c. 411]: The following is the list of ministerial visits.

Date Country Subject of visit
October 1985 United States of America Primary care
November 1985 France Health promotion/disease prevention
December 1985 United States of America Software control in medical devices
December 1985 Australia Hospital computer systems
December 1985 France Drug pricing mechanisms
January 1986 United States of America Hospital visit
April 1986 France Visit to health ministry
May 1986 United States of America Organ banks
August 1986 United States of America Visit to Federal Drug Administration
September 1986 France Information technology
October 1986 France Cook/chill methods

It is general practice for a report to be prepared after a visit so that information gained and possible lessons to be learnt from foreign experience may be circulated and considered as necessary within the Department.