Written question asked by Lord Lansley (Conservative) on Monday, 10 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 2008. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

NHS: Private Sector

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to page 9 of his Department's consultation document on Guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care, which relevant national audits he expects clinicians to contribute to.

Answer: Recommendation 11 of Professor Richards's report, 'Improving Access to Medicines for NHS Patients', states that:""The Department of Health should take a lead on commissioning a national audit of demand for unfunded drugs and on the outcome of treatments, working closely with professional organisations and NHS managers.""A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.On 4 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State accepted this recommendation, and asked Professor Richards to lead this piece of work. The reference in the consultation document to "relevant national audits" is therefore a reference to the outcome of this work.

Secondary information