To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts in (a) England and (b) each region have restricted consultant-to-consultant referrals in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. (121241)

The information is not available centrally as this is a matter for the national health service locally. Activity is agreed and monitored locally through contracts between co-ordinating commissioners and providers.

The Department published on 14 December 2006 good practice “Care and resource utilisation: ensuring appropriateness of care” that outlines some techniques that aim to ensure a more effective initial assessment, resulting in improved patient progress through the system and thereby reducing delays. The techniques are owned and agreed by clinicians, working in partnership across primary and secondary care, to deliver integrated, well-designed services. The document is available in the Library and at:

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_063265