§ 125. Mrs. PeacockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways the National Health Service reforms will affect patient choice.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyA fundamental aim of the Government's proposals to improve the Health Service is to put patients first by providing choice and responding sensitively to individual needs. The proposals will stimulate better services and greater choice by delegating responsibility to local level, by encouraging competent and willing hospitals to seek NHS trust status and by making it easier for patients to obtain early and effective treatment. The new GP practice fund scheme will offer participating doctors greater ability to decide with their patients which hospital will offer the best treatment with the least waiting time for their particular illness.