§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what protocols are in place to clarify the responsibility and funding arrangements for the follow-up care of NHS patients sent abroad for treatment; how he has ensured that GPs and consultants are aware of them: and what advice he has given GPs and consultants on measures to take if they identify complications from the treatment or have concerns about the standard of care of those patients. [98104]
§ Mr. HuttonThe responsibility and funding arrangements for the follow-up care of National Health Service patients referred abroad for treatment are clarified in the contracts held with overseas providers. These contracts define the clinical and non-clinical service to be provided; normally these specify that the overseas provider will provider a complete package of care, requiring no further intervention by the NHS when the patients return to the United Kingdom.
General practitioners and consultants are briefed by their local trust on the arrangements for the follow-up care of patients that have received treatment abroad. If a GP or consultant identifies complications following treatment abroad, or has any concerns regarding standards of care, they are advised to raise their concerns according to the same procedures that would apply to any other NHS patient. This would involve highlighting the concern with the trust, which can then pursue the matter with either the overseas clinician or the relevant lead commissioner.