§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedure patients should use for activating the commitment in paragraph 9.6 of the White Paper "Working for Patients".
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyDistrict health authorities and GP fundholders are responsible for securing health services that reflect the needs and preferences of their residents and patients. They have the freedom to purchase services from provider units within their own or another health authority, from NHS trusts or from the independent sector. The choice of service provider will depend on a local assessment of people's needs, the relative quality and cost-effectiveness of the services on offer, and the views of local people. District health authorities will be able to establish people's preferences in a number of ways, including discussions with local GPs, community health councils and other local organisations, and local surveys. Patients will be able to make their preferences known direct to GP fundholders.