§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to deal with regional variations in access to NHS treatment. [119069]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are setting standards through the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the National Service Framework programme; ensuring local delivery through clinical governance; and monitoring delivery via performance assessment framework, the Commission for Health Improvement and a national patient surveys programme. I will be working with relevant parties, utilising the record increases in National Health Service funding announced in the Budget, to improve NHS performance.