Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to the statement of the Minister of State of 7 February 2006, Official Report, columns 806-07 on NHS reorganisation, what progress has been made in developing the detail of a commissioning proposal; what the timetable is for its development and implementation; who is responsible for its development; and if she will make a statement on the steps being taken to ensure equal access to a choice of providers for patients from the Isle of Wight;
Answer
[holding answer 24 April 2006]: As part of the programme of work set out in ““Health Reform in England: update and next steps”” (December 2005), the Department is developing a new system of commissioning health services, which will operate as a partnership between general practitioner (GP) practices, primary care trusts (PCTs) and local authorities.The commissioning policy framework will be published in the summer of 2006. This work is being led by the Department’s Policy and Strategy Directorate, with the support and advice of an external reference group drawn from a wide range of stakeholder and partner organisations.PCTs are responsible for commissioning the choices offered at referral in consultation with patient groups. The Isle of Wight PCT has commissioned services from seven providers, four of which can be reached within approximately one hour 30 minutes travelling time. Some patients will need assistance with travel to hospital. PCTs are responsible for ensuring that there is provision of ambulance services (which could include patient transport services) to such extent as they consider necessary to meet all reasonable requirements. It is, therefore, for the local NHS to decide who provides patient transport services for eligible patients in their area. In addition, patients on a low income may be entitled to reimbursement of their travel costs under the hospital travel cost scheme. This applies to any of the hospitals on their PCT’s choice menu.““Our Health, Our Care, Our Say”” set the direction for designing services which will provide patients with access to care as close to their home as possible. This may involve the use of community hospitals and through increasing provision of secondary care services in a primary care setting, for example by GPs with a special interest.