§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What right of choice is available under the Patients' Charter to patients of fundholding general practitioners who insist that the choice of hospital is entirely theirs, and in accordance only with their contract arrangements.
§ Baroness CumberlegeA key aim of the National Health Service reforms is that health care should be more patient-focused. General practitioner fundholders, on behalf of their patients, have the freedom to purchase the best possible health care from whichever provider unit they judge best. In so doing they consider the needs and wishes of all their patients, and the range, quality and value for money of the services provided.