§ Sandra OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the criteria for awarding contracts for the provision of NHS care from companies outwith the UK. [80900]
§ Mr. HuttonIn the case of overseas clinical teams working in the national health service, contracts are awarded on the basis of a number of criteria. The most important of these are clinical quality and competence, the capacity to deliver without compromising the provision of care in the provider's home nation, logistics and ease of access and value for money.
§ Sandra OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health care companies from outwith the UK have contracts with the UK Government to provide care within the national health service; and if he will list the companies and countries involved. [80902]
§ Mr. HuttonNo contracts have been signed between the United Kingdom Government and overseas health care providers, as all such contracts are set up between overseas providers and national health service trusts. Three health care companies linked with overseas providers are currently providing acute elective care within the NHS:Netcare UK, Deluca Medical and Hessing Park Clinic. Netcare UK is a subsidiary of a 205W South African company. Deluca Medical acts on behalf of a French private hospital group. Hessing Park Clinic is a German hospital group.
Two trusts have signed contracts for service with individual doctors, rather than overseas health care companies. The first is working with doctors from South Africa, and the second is working with doctors from Ireland and Italy.