HC Deb 27 January 1998 vol 305 c200W
36. Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for improving access to specialist services provided from hospitals. [23451]

Mr. Boateng

As we said in the White Paper "The New National Health Service", improved arrangements for commissioning specialised services will be in place by 1 April 1999. Regional offices will be held accountable for ensuring that these arrangements are able to deal with the particular needs of the patients who use each service, including the question of access.