§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give details of the costs to public funds that arise through the provision of authorised NHS beds for private use, listing each separate budget head, and the total costs thereby incurred by each hospital with authorised beds.
§ Mr. SackvilleSince 1 April 1991 health authorities, on behalf of directly managed units, and trusts have, subject to certain safeguards, been able to determine their own private patient activity. National health service private patient charges are calculated at the appropriate commercial rate generating valuable income for improving services for all patients.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the location and number of authorised NHS beds for private use in each year since 1990.
§ Mr. SackvilleI refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Dorrell) gave the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 16 March 1992 at columns857–66 for the latest available information. Since 1 April 1991 health authorities, on behalf of directly managed units, and trusts have, subject to certain safeguards, been able to determine their own private patient activity.