To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS trusts will be the preferred provider under the proposed patient entitlement to treatment if a patient cannot be seen within the relevant period and desires an alternative provider. (304264)

Under the proposed new patient right, if access to the relevant service is inappropriately delayed, the national health service would be required to take all reasonable steps to offer that patient a range of alternative providers which would be able to provide the service sooner than the original provider, if this is what the patient wants. Where possible, the range of alternative providers should include NHS providers and private providers which meet NHS standards and the NHS tariff.

The patient would have a choice between their original provider or one of the range of alternatives.