HC Deb 24 July 1991 vol 195 c681W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue the necessary regulations so that the disposal of clinical waste from patients' homes is not charged to the patient; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

Local authorities who are asked to make arrangements to collect clinical waste from patients' homes are entitled to levy a charge for collection on the person requesting the collection. Normally this will be the health authority rather than the patient.

In deciding whether to levy charges, collection authorities have been asked to weigh the benefits of doing so against the public health risks that may result from occupiers making alternative arrangements in order to avoid charges.