Written question asked by Meg Munn (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on whether patients who are being treated privately for a hospital operation may receive public funding to meet part of the cost.

Answer: Ms Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on whether patients who are being treated privately for a hospital operation may receive public funding to meet part of the cost. [224765] Mr. Hutton: There is no statutory power under existing legislation, which would enable patients to receive public funding, in whole or in part, for private treatment in such circumstances. Current legislation makes provision for a national health service which is delivered free of charge, except where there is a statutory basis for making a charge. Any other charge for a NHS service would be unlawful. We have no plans to introduce legislation to change this, and remain committed to a free NHS. There is no statutory provision for charging United Kingdom residents for their hospital operations funded by the NHS, whether they are carried out by an NHS organisation or through the independent sector. Nor is there any statutory provision for such services to be part funded in this way by the NHS. If they are funded by the NHS they must be free of charge to the patient and funded in full.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1559W;432 c1555W; 224765
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Finance Fees and charges Private sector NHS Medical treatments Patients Surgery
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk