§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy(a) that in the provision of accident and emergency services by self-governing hospitals there will be no discrimination of any kind between patients whose treatment is covered by a contract and those patients whose treatment will have to be paid for out of the hospital's own budget and (b) that accident and emergency facilities will continue to be made available to single homeless people who have no permanent or particular place of residence.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyA fundamental principle of the new arrangements for funding hospital services is that emergency treatment should be available immediately and without question. In the case of accident and emergency services not involving in-patient treatment it is proposed that district health authorities should place contracts which cover the needs of all who are likely to require such services not just their own residents. Where in-patient treatment is involved the cost will be charged to the district of residence.