§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with the Association of British Insurers concerning guidance given by individual insurers to insured accident patients in respect of disclosure of insurance cover when presenting at NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [15989]
§ Mr. MaloneNone. It is departmental policy that treatment in national health service accident and emergency departments is free. If, however, patients subsequently require emergency in-patient admission, they can choose either NHS treatment or private treatment at an NHS hospital or independent hospital. Many private medical insurance policies cover emergency as well as elective in-patient admissions.