§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what number and percentage of patients were assessed immediately in accident and emergency departments in each district health authority area in England under the terms of the patients charter, for the first quarter of 1992–93; and if she will make a statement;
(2) Which targets specified in the patients charter can now be measured by health authorities; and what responses have been received to the monitoring of the charter in the first quarter of 1992–93.
§ Mr. SackvilleHealth authorities will be expected to monitor all aspects of their providers' performance against the rights and standards set out in the patients charter and reflected in contracts. The National Health Service management executive has recently issued guidance on monitoring the charter.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how information collected on the monitoring of the patients charter will differentiate between the performance of trust and non-trust units.
§ Mr. SackvilleAll providers—whether trusts or non-trusts—will be required to supply information on performance against patients charter rights and standards to their purchasers.