Health and Social Care Bill

Anna Soubry Excerpts
Tuesday 20th March 2012

(12 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andy Burnham Portrait Andy Burnham
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No, I do not, is the answer—[Interruption.] Well, what has that proved? We had trusts earning income, but the foundation trust legislation set a cap: it allowed the principle but tightly controlled it for the vast majority of hospitals. That was its purpose. This Bill removes those tight controls. This Bill, supported all the way on that point by Liberal Democrats, now allows hospitals completely to change character over time. In time they can turn to US-style hospitals and devote half their facilities to the treatment of private patients—

Andy Burnham Portrait Andy Burnham
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It is not rubbish. They can earn 49% of their income, according to this Bill, from the treatment of private patients. That is a fact, and why the hon. Lady shouts “rubbish” I have no idea.