§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what effect paragraph 4.9 of "Working For Patients" (Cm. 555) will have on the manner in which regions can charge one another for cross-boundary flows in genito-urinary medicine without breaching patient confidentiality; and how paragraph 4.9 will affect health authorities in controlling their cross-boundary costs in direct access services such as GUM medicinal and family planning.
§ Mr. MellorWe are currently considering with health service representatives the scope and operation of cross-charging arrangements and will have regard to the position of direct access services and the confidentiality requirements of genito-urinary medicine services.
§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he will make a statement as to the maintenance of genito-urinary medicine and venereal disease clinics as a core service in the light of paragraph 4.15 of "Working For Patients" (Cm. 555);
(2) if he will make a statement on the effect paragraph 4.15 of "Working For Patients" (Cm. 555) will have on the designation of health care for drug misusers as a cote service.
§ Mr. MellorI refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 7 February at column640.