§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the current balance of moneys held by hospitals on behalf of long-stay patients; what advice he intends to give to health authorities to ensure that current practice in handling these moneys will be adopted by directly managed units and by national health service trusts; and if he will outline the reasons for the changes in accumulated balances over recent years.
§ Mr. DorrellThe balance at 31 March 1991 was estimated at £63.4 million, this being the first significant438W decrease in balances which had previously risen from £66.1 million in 1988 to £67.8 million in 1990. The Department proposes to write to health authorities and NHS trusts to ensure that both directly managed units and NHS trusts observe good practice and take steps to secure further reduction in the level of the balances. The recent reduction in the level of accumulated balances is attributed to action taken by the NHS management executive in October 1990.