HC Deb 12 April 1988 vol 131 c13
13. Mr. Carrington

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the use being made of the nucleus system of hospital design.

The Minister for Health (Mr. Tony Newton)

So far, 43 nucleus schemes have been completed and a further 76 are at various stages of planning design and construction. The total value of the programme is nearly £1.6 billion and we estimate that at least £30 million has been saved in fees and construction costs as a result of this standardised approach to hospital building.

Mr. Carrington

Would my right hon. Friend care to enlarge upon the cost benefits to the Health Service of the nucleus system and also to the contractors who service the Health Service?

Mr. Newton

For the Health Service, in terms of restraining costs, and for the contractors in terms of the efficiency with which they can do their work, the nucleus system has proved remarkably successful. Of course, it is not appropriate to use it on all sites because one has to take account of particular circumstances. However, we are hoping that its use will grow.

Mr. Dalyell

Do the Minister's professional architectural advisers have unambigious confidence in the system?

Mr. Newton

As far as I am aware, the answer is yes. No system, especially one of this sort, will be without problems and we seek to learn from experience as the programme goes on. Basically, it has been an outstandingly successful system.