HC Deb 07 October 2003 vol 411 cc55-6W
Mr. Tynan:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many persons normally resident in Scotland were given (a) emergency treatment, in (i) English and (ii) Welsh hospitals and (b) non-emergency treatment in (A) English or (B) Welsh hospitals in each of the last five years. [130338]

Mr. Hutton:

Table 1 shows Hospital Episode Statistics on the number of admissions for Scottish residents into National Health Service hospitals in England from 1997–98 to 2001–02. The admission method is broken down into emergency and non-emergency and the total numbers of admissions are also provided.

Table 1
Finished admissions
Year 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
Emergency Admissions 2,219 3,143 3,050 3,205 3,089
Non Emergency 1,763 2,426 2,281 2,564 2,493
Total 3,984 5,570 5,343 5,772 5,594

Table 2 shows data from the Patient Episode Database for Wales on the number of admissions for Scottish residents into NHS hospitals in Wales from 1997–98 to 2001–02. The admission method is broken down into emergency and non-emergency and the total number of admissions is also provided.

Table 2
Finished admissions
1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
Emergency Admissions 150 146 137 148 125
Non Emergency 7 24 9 16 12
Total 157 170 146 164 137
Mr. Tynan:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what structures are in place to encourage cooperation between English and Scottish NHS trusts where they share (a) specialist teaching, research or treatment expertise and (b) contiguous geographical areas of responsibility. [130337]

Mr. Hutton:

There are no formal structures in place centrally. Established clinical networks encourage the sharing of specialist teaching, research and treatment expertise.

Under arrangements for temporary registration, people who are normally resident in the United Kingdom and are entitled to National Health Service care free at the point of delivery may access emergency or primary care services in another area. Elective treatment across borders is a matter for local contractual arrangements.