§ Mr. MorganTo ask Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of his recent departmental letter of guidance to the South Glamorgan family health services authority encouraging the use of individual private consultants and the British United Provident Association by general practitioner fundholders to obtain out-patient and in-patient access to consultants for their long waiting list patients; [14882]
(2) if the recent departmental letter of guidance to the South Glamorgan family health services authority on the placing of contracts by general practitioner fundholders for their long waiting list patients with individual private consultants and BUPA has been copied to the other family health service authorities; what representations he has received on its contents; and if he will make a statement. [14885]
§ Mr. HagueI have arranged for a copy of the correspondence with South Glamorgan family health services authority to be placed in the Library of the House. It has not been copied to other health authorities.
The letter neither encourages nor discourages the use of private consultants or hospitals. It is the duty of all commissioners, whether health authorities or fundholders, to provide the best possible care for the patient, having regard to value for money and the patient's best interests. If earlier treatment can be obtained in the private sector, I expect commissioners to consider this option rather than allow a patient to suffer unnecessarily.