§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures of performance are employed by his Department to ensure value for money.
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§ Mr. DorrellThe Department has a well-developed management accounting system which is designed to help managers at all levels to set clear objectives consistent with departmental aims and objectives; to monitor progress against these objectives, and to reassess them as conditions change. Achievement of plans set out in the management accounts is reviewed regularly and is linked to the annual assessment of personal performance through a stewardship exercise.
In addition, the delivery of VFM improvements for the NHS has focused on the cost improvement programme since 1984 with over £1 billion of cash-releasing cost improvements achieved. Performance monitoring is through the annual review process and particular attention is being drawn to value for money in 1991–92 with each region being asked to develop a strategy to include the change to purchaser and provider roles.