HL Deb 26 February 2004 vol 658 cc75-6WA
Lord Clement-Jones

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 20 January (WA 133), why the Department of Health does not collect information on (a) substantial donations from not-for-profit providers of health cash plans to the National Health Service, and (b) the numbers of individual National Health Service patients who benefit from such plans; and whether they will do so in future; and [HL1099]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 20 January (WA 133), what assessment they have made of the role which can be played by not-for-profit providers of health cash plans in helping low-income and other National Health Service patients to meet increasing hotel charges, loss of earnings and other expenses associated with hospitalisation; and [HL1100]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 20 January (WA 133), whether they collect any information about the numbers of National Health Service patients whose charges for optical and dental treatment are met annually by not-for-profit providers of health cash plans; and [HL1101]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 20 January (WA 133), what assessment they have made of the role of not-for-profit providers of health cash plans in supporting National Health Service patients; and [HL1102]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 20 January (WA 133), what plans they have to involve not-for-profit providers of health cash plans in meeting the travel and accommodation expenses of family members visiting hospitalised relatives who opt for medical treatment away from their home area in accordance with developing government policy initiatives. [HL1103]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)

The Department of Health has no plans to engage with not-for-profit providers of health cash plans regarding the provision of schemes and assistance outlined in these questions, nor does it collect information about the level of participation in such schemes. This has never been an issue for departmental involvement and the department does not wish to burden the National Health Service with collection of information for which it has no direct business need.