§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to require that those receiving private treatment in National Health Service hospitals are required to produce their private insurance cover details or lodge the necessary funds with the hospital before private treatment starts.
§ Mrs. CurrieExisting instructions to health authorities are that before admitting a private patient hospitals should always be satisfied of his ability to pay. They should seek deposits equivalent to the full estimated cost of the hospital charges which will be payable, except where there are good grounds for believing that no difficulty will anise over payment, for example when evidence of adequate insurance cover is produced. The Handbook on the Management of Private Practice in Health Service Hospitals, issued in March 1986 to all Health Authorities which are required to implement it, makes the position quite clear.
We have no plans to introduce legislation.
§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of people who owe money to the National Health Service through defaulting on payment for private treatment in National Health Service hospitals are foreigners.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe information requested is not available. Health authorities are not required to keep records distinguishing the country of origin of private patients treated in Health Service hospitals.