HC Deb 29 April 1993 vol 223 cc489-90W
Ms Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to monitor the NHS purchasing arrangements to identify whether there is discrimination against older patients.

Mr. Sackville

We have set in place mechanisms for monitoring purchasers' performance and ensuring that they are accountable to Ministers and to the public they serve. Health authorities as purchasers are expected to develop contracting arrangements which accurately reflect the needs of all of their resident population.