HC Deb 29 February 2000 vol 345 cc220-1W
29. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate ways in which the NHS could make greater use of private sector resources. [110884]

Ms Stuart

We do not believe that there needs to be greater reliance on private medicine in order to achieve modern standards in healthcare. We remain committed to a National Health Service funded from general taxation, available to all on the basis of need and need alone.

We are committed to providing good-quality services that represent best value for money to patients and the taxpayer, and we encourage the NHS to enter into Public-Private Partnerships with the private sector when this is the best way of achieving these aims.