§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of district health authorities which are in dispute, or have not yet agreed, with any of their principal health trust providers contracts for the year 1996–97, within each case(a) the name of the providing trust, (b) the reason for the delay and (c) arrangements made for arbitration and its likely timetable; and what assessment he has made of the consequential effects on patients of (i) GP fundholders and (ii) GP non-fundholders in each case. [25510]
§ Mr. HoramInformation on health service contracts agreed by health authorities for 1996–97 is being collected and will be placed in the Library. Information by individual providers is not available centrally.
489WPatients come first and they will continue to be treated on the basis of clinical need. There is no question of patients not being treated or treatment being delayed because of the contracting process. Health 490W authorities and fundholders are charged with ensuring that the contracting process works to the best interest of patients locally.