HC Deb 03 December 1996 vol 286 cc782-3
4. Mr. Purchase

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS services have been market tested. [5613]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Simon Burns)

The national health service executive market testing database has evidence of 86 services that have been market tested or are planned to be market tested.

Mr. Purchase

Does the Minister recognise that the entire exercise has been characterised by a reduction in services throughout the NHS? In my constituency, an organisation called Trident, which was formerly known as Hospital Services, had to change its name to gain new contracts—hon. Members may speculate about why that was necessary. The contract is failing to deliver promised savings and there has been an attempt to reduce the number of hours worked by people in the service. A constituent who works as a cleaner with the Wolverhampton health service has been forced to clean using water with no additives. Does the Minister believe that market testing is justified in those circumstances?

Mr. Burns

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman utterly misunderstands the purpose and benefits of market testing. He fails to see that market testing is improving standards, particularly in laundry and other hotel services. By enhancing standards, market testing is saving the health service between £100 million and £150 million, which is then used to provide extra health care for patients. The hon. Gentleman should support that initiative. In addition, the trust that has taken out the contract is more than happy with the service being provided. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman gets a better briefing from UNISON, which seems to be misleading him.

Mr. David Shaw

How much has market testing saved us in terms of additional operations in the health service? Have not efficiency savings led to a considerable increase in the number of patients who are treated through the health service?

Mr. Burns

I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend, who puts his finger on the most important issue. Market testing is resulting in improved services and, since it began in 1983, it has saved the health service about £1 billion—about £100 million to £150 million a year. That means more hip and cataract operations and more acute service provision in the health service.