§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it the policy of the Government that access to the NHS ambulance service should be available to patients travelling to private hospitals when referred by NHS GPs; and if he will make a statement. [87730]
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answer 17 December 2002]: National health service ambulance services are available to patients travelling to private hospitals when they are receiving NHS treatment at that hospital or if they are receiving treatment at a private hospital within the trust's normal catchment area.