Written question asked by Rob Marris (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2005. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has commissioned regarding the complication rates following elective surgery paid for by the NHS and carried out in (a) NHS hospitals and (b) private hospitals.

Answer: Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned regarding the complication rates following elective surgery paid for by the NHS and carried out in (a) NHS hospitals and (b) private hospitals. [211698] Mr. Hutton: No specific research has been commissioned by the Department. However, the national Confidential inquiry into patient outcome and death (NCEPOD), which is managed by Rational Institute for Clinical Excellence on behalf of the Department, reviews medical clinical practices and makes recommendations to improve the quality of the delivery of care. It does not however compare national health service hospitals with private hospitals. The reports are on their website www.ncepod.org.uk.

Secondary information