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 Wednesday, 19 November 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

NHS: Medical Treatments

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Statement of 4 November 2008, Official Report, columns 131-33, on NHS patients: access to medicines, what steps he expects the NHS trust to take with regard to the funding of any treatment needed as a result of complications in circumstances where it is not possible to identify whether complications have resulted from a patient’s private or NHS treatment.

Answer: The draft revised guidance published by the Department on 4 November is clear that, where patients pay for additional, private treatment, the national health service should not be expected to meet any predictable costs resulting from the private element of care. Copies of the guidance have already been placed in the Library.However, in circumstances where it is not possible to identify whether complications have resulted from a patient’s private or NHS treatment, or in an emergency, patients should, of course, be entitled to NHS care.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 483 c534W;483 c533W; 235729
Session: 2007-08
Related items: NHS Patients (Access to Medicines)
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects: Fees and charges NHS Medical treatments
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk