HL Deb 06 December 1993 vol 550 cc741-3

2.46 p.m.

Lord Ashley of Stoke asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which NHS hospitals are in the top five for their research ratings, and what steps are being taken to ensure that research is not impaired by NHS market changes.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)

My Lords, for the first time this year the eight London postgraduate special health authorities have been rated for research but the results are not published in the form of a league table.

We are committed to the protection of good quality research and development in the NHS and a task force has been established to advise Ministers as to how best to protect and develop research within the new NHS.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

My Lords, I am grateful for that reply. However, will the Minister tell us what action is planned by the Government to rescue the University College group of hospitals from destruction by market forces? Will she bear in mind that that group has the highest possible reputation for research? It is because of the extra costs associated with outstanding research that it is now threatened with closure. It is on that account that the Government should step in to save that group.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, before answering the supplementary question, perhaps I may congratulate the noble Lord on exceeding his three score years and 10 by another year and wish him many happy returns.

The Government are very concerned to protect research and because of that we commissioned a study to determine the excess costs attributable to research and development in postgraduate teaching hospitals. That study was completed in October and has provided the basis of support in relation to prices for the special health authorities. We intend to subsidise research and development at around 40 per cent. of overall annual expenditure for at least a three-year period.

Lord Walton of Detchant

My Lords, I welcome the establishment of the task force which the noble Baroness has just announced. In the review, will that task force be invited to take account of university-based research undertaken in clinical departments which is impossible to distinguish in many instances from that carried out within the NHS hospitals? Will the task force further take note of the reduction of funding of many university clinical departments as a result of the transfer of funds from the university budget to that of the research councils?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, the task force will consider that matter. Also, the study to which I just referred, which was commissioned by the management executive, identified the excess costs that are attributable to research and development in post-graduate teaching hospitals. So to some extent the matter is taken care of.

We have seen an enormous increase in the amount of money that has been put into clinical research over the past 10 years. The total funding for the current year is £71 million. In addition, there is £150 million capital that is promised over two years, which represents a growth of 20 per cent. in three years. That will also take into account the increase in student numbers and the reorganisation of medical education and research in London.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, in addition to the welcome point which the noble Baroness made, would it be sensible for the department to ensure that staff associations are kept in touch with the specialist medical scientists? That is vital for the improvement of our National Health Service.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, we work very closely with all the staff in the National Health Service.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, will the noble Baroness give the House the identities of the persons comprising the task force, their occupations and qualifications?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, it would take a great deal of your Lordships' time to do that because there are 150 expert persons of distinction involved in the process.

Baroness Jay of Paddington

My Lords, will the Minister confirm that much of the important research and development done in the health service is carried out in hospitals which are not special health authorities? Although we welcome the special funding which will be given to them, following the point made by my noble friend Lord Ashley about the University College hospitals and the Middlesex hospitals, can the noble Baroness confirm that they have the highest research rating for undergraduate research and teaching in this country but that they will not receive any special funding under the arrangements which she has announced?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, I wish to reassure the noble Baroness that this is just a first step. We are anxious to assess the research that is taking place in all the hospitals in the country, but it will take some time and the first step is just the special health authorities.

Lord Shepherd

My Lords, I appreciate that if 150 people are involved it would take too long to mention them at Question Time, but will the noble Baroness ensure that the names of those in the task force will be made available in the Library?

Baroness Cumberlege

Yes, my Lords, certainly. They are contained in the booklet, Special Health Authorities Research Review, and I shall place it in the Library.