§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of whether hospital consultants are complying with the terms of their NHS contracts and whether private practice interferes with the function of the NHS or disadvantages non-paying patients.
§ Mr. RichardsIt is a matter for individual health authorities and NHS trusts to satisfy themselves that hospital consultants are fulfilling the terms of their NHS 749W contracts. Consultants who undertake private practice accept that their NHS work should receive priority at all times and employing authorities are entitled to expect no diminution in the level of service to NHS patients as a result of this arrangement.