| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: I am sorry to disappoint the noble Baroness but, after reflecting on our discussions in Committee, I believe that this is ultimately a matter for Ministers and government policy, rather than an issue to be addressed in the Bill.
It is tempting to have a wide-ranging discussion on the internal market. However, I shall desist from talking about the grossly unequal effect of that market, in which patients of fundholders got a lot whereas the rest of the patients got very little. I shall also desist from talking about the incredibly bureaucratic structure that was put in place. All I shall say is that this is a real commitment to patient choice by the Government. I think that the noble Baroness herself made it clear from her commendable reading of our Delivering the NHS Plan that this is a very important matter on which we wish to make progress.
Essentially, the aim is that, by 2005, all patients will be able to choose the date, time and place of their treatment. Indeed, one of the "must do" targets set out in the NHS Plan is that, by the end of 2005, all patients will be able to receive treatment at a place and time that suits them. This is a clear and public commitment and—through the additional resources that we are making available to the NHS—we are demonstrating that commitment by piloting patient choice from July.
Patients with coronary heart disease will be able to benefit from patient choice. Where a patient has been on an in-patient waiting list for coronary heart disease treatment for more than six months, he will be offered swifter treatment in a different NHS hospital, in the private sector or indeed in another EU country. We are looking to extend the pilots across other specialities
and in different areas. That is the importance of what we are proposing. We are not simply picking out a few GP practices where the arrangements will be on offer. The intent is that all GPs and all patients will have greater choice.In view of the record of the previous government, I am surprised that the noble Baroness raised the issue of IT. When one thinks of those IT disasters, it is no surprise that, by the mid-1990s, there was a wholesale loss of confidence within the NHS about major IT projects.
I accept that the NHS has a long way to go in order to get the IT up to scratch in the way we all want. However, I am impressed by the commitment of people in the NHS to make IT happen, and by the success of some recent national projects. There is no doubt that we need to give this matter further attention. There is no doubt that it has to become a priority for the Government and for the NHS. IT systems will be part of the essential infrastructure which will enable us to ensure that patient choice will be a reality.
I repeat what I said in Committee. I do not consider that this matter should be on the face of the Bill. It is a matter of policy for the Government. We have unequivocally stated our intent in this area and we are committed to making sure that it will happen.
Baroness Noakes: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. I am left with a puzzle. This is a matter for government policy but not a matter for legislation. I am not sure that I know when government policy should or should not be a matter for legislation. The White Paper contains many government policies, some of which are for legislation and some of which are not. I shall have to consult wiser heads than my own and reflect further on the matter. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Lord Filkin: My Lords, I beg to move that consideration on Report be now adjourned.
Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
- House adjourned at twenty-seven minutes before ten o'clock.
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |