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: Private Sector

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, how many patients he expects will take up the right to purchase separate private care in each of the next three years.

Answer: The measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 4 November will improve access to drugs for national health service patients, reducing the number of patients likely to purchase additional care privately. The Department does not have sufficient data to estimate patient numbers reliably.However, the Secretary of State accepted Professor Mike Richards’s recommendation that the Department should commission a national audit of demand for unfunded drugs. The Secretary of State has asked Professor Richards to lead this work.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 483 c535-6W; 235730
Session: 2007-08
Related items: NHS Patients (Access to Medicines)
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects: Fees and charges NHS
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk