Access to Health Care

HC Deb 04 July 2000 vol 353 c146W

Mr. Casale

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce regional variations in access to health care. [127517]

Mr. Denham

We are setting standards through the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the National Service Frameworks. We are ensuring local delivery through clinical governance and monitoring delivery through the performance assessment framework and the Commission for Health Improvement. We are working with relevant parties, utilising the record increases in National Health Service funding announced in the Budget to improve NHS performance.