Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the level of advertising to the public of private medical services, such as screening tests, in the past three years, and (2) the impact this may be having (a) in diverting medical staff into the private sector, (b) on public health, and (c) in increased pressure on the NHS for follow-up procedures.

No specific assessment has been made. There are established ways of working between National Health Service employers and consultants wishing to take on private practice which allow flexibility for employees without detriment to NHS patients or services. Where a patient has received the results of a private screening test and presents for NHS treatment, they would receive the appropriate care, according to the relevant clinical guidelines.