§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on her plans to allow advertising in hospital out-patient departments; what guidelines she intends to issue on such advertising; and whether the advertising of certain products will be prohibited;
(2) what contracts have been negotiated in relation to the use of advertising in accident and emergency and out-patient departments; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyHealth authorities may allow commercial advertising in hospitals in order to generate additional income. General guidance on income generation activities by hospitals is included in a "guide to local initiatives" issued to health authorities in March 1989.
Responsibility for income generation schemes is for national health service managers. But the guidance advises health authorities that specific schemes should be congruent with the goals, culture and objectives of the health service and should certainly not contradict them. It would not be in an authority's interest to be involved in activities which are in conflict with its own aims or detract from its image in the community.
I do not intend issuing any specific guidance on advertising in hospitals.
Information on contracts for advertising in hospitals is not collected centrally.