§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the survey on the future needs and aims of the Welsh health service. [21319]
§ Mr. RedwoodThe survey will help my Department and the NHS in Wales identify priority areas for improving both the health of the population and the responsiveness of the service to the needs and expectations of patients.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the company administering the Welsh health service random sample questionnaire survey and the principle components of the work specified in that company contracts; and if the company was chosen after competitive tender. [21318]
§ Mr. RedwoodThe contract for the Welsh health survey was awarded to the South East Institute of Public Health. The main components of the contract are: testing the questionnaire and the survey method; drawing the sample; printing and posting the letters, questionnaires, and reminders; entering the answers from the completed questionnaires into a computer database; analysis of the data and production of a report.
The contract was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities and awarded by competitive tender.