§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will institute a code of conduct for private hospitals to ensure that particularly in the case of emergencies they have adequate equipment and supplies available to treat their patients;
715W(2) what provision his Department makes for the monitoring of private hospitals and their provision of emergency treatment in the case of patients, particularly in regard to the minimum provision of blood supplies.
§ Mr. MellorDistrict health authorities are required to inspect each private hospital at least twice a year. Private hospitals have a statutory duty to provide and maintain adequate medical, surgical and nursing equipment and adequate treatment facilities. Blood is supplied to them as necessary by the national blood transfusion service on payment of a handling charge. In 1985, model guidelines were issued to all health authorities under the auspices of the National Association of Health Authorities. These were endorsed by the Department.