§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is given to parents with the cost of visiting and telephoning their children in hospitals abroad for NHS treatment; if the Government will set up such a new scheme to help parents; and if he will make a statement. [33022]
§ Mr. HuttonNo children are being sent abroad for national health service treatment under the test bed scheme currently under way in the south east of England. If the NHS chooses to commission care for children overseas at some point in the future we would expect commissioners to ensure that children were accompanied by a parent or carer at the NHS' expense.
It is rare for children to travel abroad under the E112 scheme which requires prior authorisation from the NHS and the Department. The Department has not in the past paid for travel and non-hospital accommodation costs for the child and accompanying adult, although in practice the NHS has found ways, e.g. through charitable funds, to help in deserving cases. The Department is reviewing this policy as part of its wider review of the working of the E112 system.