§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to order NHS trusts to stop the practice of NHS trusts soliciting voluntary contributions from persons treated for road accident injuries.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe have no evidence of national health service trusts seeking voluntary contributions. All health service hospitals, including those managed by NHS trusts, are empowered to collect the emergency treatment fee under section 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The fee, which must be covered by motor vehicle insurance policies, is payable by vehicle users in respect of each person given immediate treatment or examination arising from a road traffic accident.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will advise all NHS trusts to finance a patients' friend and arrange that the postholder is accountable only to the appropriate community health council.
§ Mr. SackvilleThis is a matter for individual trusts.