§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce guidelines to ensure equality of access to health care for smokers and non-smokers.
§ Mr. SackvilleA fundamental principle of the national health service, which is enshrined in the patients charter, is that clinical need continues to be the basis on which the NHS provides care to all. Decisions on the treatment of individual patients are properly a matter for clinical judgment by the clinicians responsible for their care, taking account of factors such as the likely success of that treatment. We have no plans to introduce further guidance in this area.