§ Dr. Liam FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are being made to improve contracting arrangements for specialised services.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have been reviewing arrangements for the contracting of specialised services and last week issued guidance to the service under cover of EL(93)98—"Contracting for Specialised Services"—copies of which are available in the Library.
The guidance emphasises the need for purchasers, working closely with providers, to identify appropriate contracts covering needs, costs, quality and developmental issues to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to patients.