Written question asked by Simon Burns (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 September 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 8 September 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many operations have been carried out abroad but paid for by the NHS since January 2001, broken down by operation; and what the total cost to the NHS of each patient's treatment was while abroad including travel expenses.

Answer: Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been carried out abroad but paid for by the NHS since January 2001, broken down by operation; and what the total cost to the NHS of each patient's treatment was while abroad including travel expenses. [127516] Mr. Hutton: A total of 477 patients have been referred for treatment abroad as part of the overseas treatment programme since January 2001. Of these, 19 patients have been treated for cardiac procedures, 37 have been treated for ophthalmological procedures and 421 have been treated for orthopaedic procedures. A procurement process identifying spare capacity abroad is currently active, so the costs of specific procedures abroad are commercially sensitive. However, prices are comparable to spot purchasing in the United Kingdom private sector.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 127516; 410 c232W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Costs NHS Medical treatments Patients Travel Surgery Medical treatments abroad
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk