Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Monday, 4 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 23rd October to the honourable Member for East Worthing and Shoreham, column 400W, whether NHS patients will have a choice of all the listed hospitals for their heart operations.

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 23rd October to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham, column 400W, whether NHS patients will have a choice of all the listed hospitals for their heart operations. [79964] Ms Blears: Each referring hospital has identified a number of core options which are most likely to meet the individual needs of local patients. If a patient would prefer to go to a local hospital that is not included in these options for the treatment their patient care advisor will have up to date information on all the hospitals in this country or elsewhere in Europe that are suitable for the patient and should seek to arrange their treatment according to their wishes. The choices will depend on the nature of the patient's illness. For some patients who are very ill or who have other illnesses as well, it may be that some of the options on offer do not have the facilities or expertise needed to treat them.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 392 c504W;392 c516W; 79964
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Access Hospitals Heart diseases NHS Medical treatments Patients Surgery Patient choice schemes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk