asked the Minister for Health the amount of moneys now due by consultants for the use of facilities in health board hospitals for their private patients for 1985-86; and the amount of money collected by the voluntary hospitals for this service to consultants during 1985-86.
Written Answers. - Consultants' Use of Facilities.
95.
The Coalition Government had budgeted for income in 1985 and 1986 from both health boards and voluntary hospitals in respect of charges to consultants for use of public hospital facilities for their private practice. The total amount involved was £1.4 million for each year. However, very little of this money was collected. Negotiations on the application and collection of the charges were initiated by the then Minister for Health but negotiations to put the appropriate structures required to collect the charges in place, were not completed.