§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure by each hospital trust in each of the past four years in purchasing health care or facilities in the private sector; and what was the total expenditure for this purpose in each year. [31839]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe financial returns of national health service trusts provide expenditure figures on the purchase of health care from non-NHS bodies, whether in the public or private sectors. The figures for England are £12,204,000 in 1991–92, £45,436,000 in 1992–93, and £50,386,000 in 1993–94. The Government welcome cost-effective co-operation between the NHS and 5W independent sector. This increases the range of options available to patients and health service managers and makes optimum use of available resources.