§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the scope of current pilot schemes for foreign referrals will be extended to include Southampton University NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement. [40794]
§ Mr. HuttonSince rulings of the European Court of Justice in July last year it has been clear that national health service bodies, including health authorities, primary care trusts and acute trusts, may commission treatment for NHS patients overseas. However, given that commissioning treatment overseas involves a number of difficult clinical, quality and legal issues the Department has advised NHS bodies contemplating sending patients abroad to contact the pilot sites first to obtain the benefit of their experience.
The pilot scheme for foreign referrals concludes next month. Further guidance on overseas treatment will be sent to the NHS, drawing on the experience of the pilot.
We are exploring the possibility of a small number of NHS bodies putting in place arrangements to commission overseas care on behalf of the rest of the NHS in England.