Stephen Dorrell has written to the Health Secretary to ask him to investigate how Jimmy Savile was able to get privileged access to hospitals.
The Charnwood MP, who is chairman of the House of Commons' Health Select Committee, said he was surprised at the freedom the DJ had when visiting Leeds, Stoke Mandeville and Broadmoor hospitals.
It came after allegations emerged that former BBC radio and television star Savile molested patients at the institutions while visiting in fund-raising and management roles.
Mr Dorrell's letter to Jeremy Hunt urges him to look at what, if anything, was known by staff at the time Savile was alleged to have been preying on patients.
The MP said: "So far, this issue has focused mainly on what happened at the BBC, but there are elements of concern for the NHS.
"We need to know what happened at these hospitals and how it happened.
"We need to know what lessons have been learned. It is important to know who knew what and if staff did try to raise concerns why they were not listened to."
The Department of Health is investigating the allegations.
Mr Dorrell, who was Secretary of State for Health from 1995 to 1997, said he had not yet had a reply from Mr Hunt, but was confident it would be carried out properly.
Savile had accommodation or offices at Broadmoor and Stoke Mandeville and worked as a porter at Leeds hospital.
He also invited patients to appear on show he presented such as Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It.
Police are investigating allegations TV star Savile sexually abused about 300 young people over a 40-year period and detectives have described him as "undoubtedly one of the most prolific sex offenders in recent history".
