To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is her intention that NHS trusts should not assume GP referral as authorisation to treat a patient, as stated in the London strategic health authorities’ document entitled ‘London wide commissioning: primary care trust commissioning intentions 2006-07’ of 27 February 2006. (101688)

The commissioning controls for this year were set out in the ‘The NHS in England: the operating framework for 2006-07’. The statement in the document ‘London wide commissioning: primary care trust commissioning intentions 2006-07’, published on 27 February 2006, was in the context of ensuring financial balance. Where providers attract patients through choice and other primary care-generated referrals, primary care trusts (PCTs) are expected to meet these commitments. If provider activity exceeds the planned levels by more than an agreed margin, PCTs should work with practices and service providers to take appropriate action to ensure services are provided within current waiting time standards, having full regard to clinical priorities.