§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of patients on waiting lists who will accept the offer of an alternative provider under the Choice and Plurality policies; and what assessment he has made of the capacity available to meet the demand. [140620]
§ Mr. HuttonAll strategic health authorities have completed robust plans for the implementation of choice for patients waiting six months for elective surgery during April 2004 to December 2005. The plans anticipate that some 85,000 patients who have waited over six months will accept the choice of moving to another hospital for further treatment. From December 2005, choice will be offered at general practitioner referral, benefiting 10 million patients each year.
§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether alternative medicine will be available to patients within the NHS under the Choice and Plurality policies. [140622]
§ Mr. HuttonThe need to develop a framework for access to complementary medicines was raised by the task groups in the National Consultation on Choice, Equity and Responsiveness. This suggestion will need further exploration and development and the Department will bring forward proposals for action in 2004.