Patients (Referrals) (Hansard, 6 February 1990)

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how the cost of treatment for a patient referred to a treatment centre by a general practitioner will be met; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will make a statement as to why general practitioners will not be allowed to refer patients directly to treatment centres of the practitioner's choice.

§ Mr. Grist
Treatment centres are intended to help directly people who have been waiting too long for treatment for key disabling conditions. They will therefore offer those patients who have already been waiting over four months for the relevant operations the choice of earlier treatment at the centres. Treatment for all patients at the centres will be funded centrally. GPs will continue to be able to refer new patients direct to hospitals of their choice, which will continue to treat the majority of patients.

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement as to which authority is to be responsible for the after care of a patient following treatment at a centre outside the patient's health authority.
549W

§ Mr. Grist
The consultant team at the centre will be responsible for post-operative care and follow-up, including any complications arising from the surgical procedure. However, with the agreement of the referring consultant, consideration may be given to conducting follow-up nearer the patient's home. The place of treatment for late surgical complications after completion of in-patient treatment should be decided by the patient and GP after consultation with the operating surgeon.

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to set up a special fund to help meet the travel expenses of patients referred to treatment centres outside their own health authorities; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Grist
The cost of travel where medically indicated to and from the orthopaedic treatment centre at the Prince of Wales hospital, Rhydlafar, will be shared between the referring authorities and the centre itself; £20,000 a year of central funds are being set aside for this purpose. The arrangements for the other centres are currently under discussion. Patients on low incomes can obtain help with their travelling expenses to and from the centres from the Department of Social Security as with any other hospital service.