§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why users of illegal hard drugs are being given treatment within the NHS involving the dispensing of illegal drugs and methadone whilst people who legally use tobacco are being denied NHS treatment; and
Whether they will explain their policy of spending money on care and treatment for people with AIDS whilst endorsing the refusal of NHS treatment to people who smoke.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The fundamental principles on which the National Health Service operates are set out in the Patient's Charter. This establishes clinical need as the basis on which care is offered to all by the NHS. Health authorities are responsible for establishing procedures in line with these principles and for ensuring that the procedures are followed. NHS staff have always had to make difficult decisions on the priority to be given to indvidual patients. Decisions on the treatment of individual patients are based on many factors. It is a doctor's duty to advise and provide treatment which, in his professional judgment, is in his patient's best interests. A consultant's professional judgment is subject to review through both formal audit and broader professional discussion.