§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received in relation to the report of the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales with respect to the differentiation in levels of priority for treatment other than in relation to clinical need; what consultations she has had with the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts with respect to the contents of the report; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyWe will study the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales report carefully. By ensuring value for money, fundholders are making more resources available to the national health service; savings are ploughed back into patient care, waiting lists are reduced, and services are made more accessible, for example through out-patient clinics held in the surgery. We regularly meet the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts to discuss how we can build on the success of NHS reforms.