NHS Trusts

HC Deb 07 June 1993 vol 226 cc66-7W

Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance and regulations limit the proportion of private practice in NHS trusts.

Mr. Sackville

Under section 5(9) and paragraph 14 of schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, NHS trusts may make accommodation and services available for patients who give undertakings to pay such charges as the trust determines. In so doing, there must be no significant interference with the performance by the trust of its obligations under NHS contracts or imposed by order.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trust hospitals in London have not signed contracts with their local health authority for 1993–94; and if she will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

All national health service trust hospitals in London' have agreed contracts with their host health authorities. Only two—the Royal Free Hospital NHS trust and the Royal London NHS trust have yet to be signed. ¹ London has been taken as the inner London health authorities identified in the "Report of the inquiry into London's Health Service, Medical Education and Research" namely: Bloomsbury and Islington, Camberwell, City and Hackney, Hampstead, Haringey, Lewisham and North Southwark, Newham, Parkside, Riverside, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and West Lambeth district health authorities.