§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he intends to use to remove inequalities based on geographical areas in the prescribing of drug treatments for life-threatening conditions. [56042]
§ Mr. MilburnOur plans to address unacceptable variations in services are set out in the quality consultation document "A First Class Service". We will work with the professions to produce national service frameworks relevant to the whole of the National Health Service. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will assess new and existing interventions for their clinical and cost-effectiveness and produce and disseminate guidance to support frontline staff. We will challenge and address unacceptable variations in the provision of clinically and cost-effective treatments which are not based on the health needs of local people. We intend to establish a new statutory body, the Commission for Health Improvement, which will provide an independent assessment of local action to improve quality and national implementation of service standards.