SPECIALIST COMMISSIONING IN THE NHS

Early day motion 666, tabled 5 February 2003 by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 17 members.

That this House notes that, in the early part of 2002, the Government announced proposals that healthcare services in 35 highly specialised areas (including specialist neuroscience, women's health, rheumatology, HIV, haemophilia, renal and cancer services) would be commissioned by primary care trust-led consortia with effect from 2003; believes that this one size fits all approach to commissioning is not appropriate to all the diseases and conditions listed in the National Specialised Services Definitions Set; is concerned that not all primary care trusts have the necessary experience, personnel, skills, funds and infrastructure to plan and commission specialised services effectively; is further concerned that specialised service provision and standards of patient care will suffer as a result; welcomes the formation of the Specialised Healthcare Alliance, a coalition of patient representative groups, advocacy organisations and healthcare professionals, to bring these concerns to the attention of parliamentarians, government and others; and calls upon the Government to publish the results of its review and to announce its intentions with regard to the funding and commissioning of specialised healthcare services as a matter of urgency.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 11, Labour 4, UUP 2.