§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if consultant surgeons and other consultants working in the private sector are obliged to publish their charging arrangements; and what assessment he has made of the extent of differential pricing for operations and consultations charged to insurance compared with charges made directly to patients. [91275]
§ Mr. DenhamConsultants working in private sector healthcare are not obliged to publish their charges and are free to charge whatever they wish and to offer preferential rates if they see fit to do so. The Department has no powers to intervene in contracts outside the National Health Service.