Private Health Care Facilities

HC Deb 04 July 1995 vol 263 cc105-6W

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to monitor further expenditure on private health care facilities by NHS hospital trusts. [31841]

Mr. Sackville

Expenditure on health care purchased by national health service trusts from non-NHS providers is already monitored through financial returns.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued on the use of private health care and facilities by NHS hospital trusts. [31840]

Mr. Sackville

National health service trusts are free to buy in services from other providers, whether in the public or private sector, where they can benefit their patients by doing so.