HC Deb 04 February 1987 vol 109 c705W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the cost of associated services for operations carried out privately within the National Health Service are calculated.

Mr. John MacKay

Charges to private patients treated in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland are based on the average cost of treating all patients (both National Health Service and private) in each hospital class. The charges include elements for nursing, medical and support costs; hotel services; other general services, including administration; capital overheads; and, where appropriate, blood handling costs. The charges are reviewed annually.

Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money health boards are written off as bad debts from private patients in the latest available year.

Mr. John MacKay

The figure for 1985–86 was £26,721.

Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the following type of operations have been carried out on private patients within the National Health Service (a) hip replacement, (b) general surgery and (c) other specialties; and if he can provide a breakdown by health board.

Mr. John MacKay

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pay beds there have been within Tayside health board in each year since 1983; and what information he has on future trends in pay bed provision.

Mr. John MacKay

In each year since 1983 there have been 11 pay beds authorised within the Tayside health board area. I am not aware of any proposals which would change this figure.