§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many surgical procedures have taken place in the private sector in the last six months; and what safeguards are in place to prevent a conflict of interests of those medical staff working in both the private and public sector. [78697]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department does not collect information on the number of surgical procedures that take place in the private sector. We expect doctors who work both in private and public sector, like all doctors, to behave in a professional manner. The General Medical Council's ethical guidance Good Medical Practice states that doctors must not put pressure on patients to accept private treatment and must always act in their patients' best interests when making referrals and providing or arranging treatment or care.