Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect that proposed changes to tariffs for Renal Dialysis in Monitor's 2015/16 National Tariff Payments System: Engagement on national prices consultation would have on health outcomes for kidney patients.

In July 2014, Monitor and NHS England published the 2015/16 NHS National Tariff Payment System 2015/16: Engagement documents, and subsequently began a process of engagement with the sector on draft proposals. Draft national prices were also published, seeking feedback from relevant stakeholders.

Monitor and NHS England are currently reviewing the feedback received for the draft relative prices and carrying out further discussions about kidney dialysis with stakeholders including patient representative groups such as the National Kidney Federation. Monitor and NHS England are also seeking views from the sector via the National Tariff Advisory Group regarding the proposed prices.

Under section 118 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, Monitor is required to consult on the methodology used when deciding and setting national prices for National Health Service commissioned health care services. Monitor is also obliged to assess the expected financial impact on trusts of the draft proposals in accordance with section 69 of the 2012 Act. The Consultation Notice (section 118) is expected to be published in late-October along with a full financial impact assessment. The consultation period will be 28 days to allow for the sector, including patient groups, to respond.