HC Deb 20 January 1995 vol 252 cc720-1W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a further statement on the forms of direct accountability of NHS trusts to(a) the Welsh Office, (b) health authorities and (c) GP fundholders.

Mr. Redwood

NHS trusts, in Wales, enter into accountability agreements which outline the relationship and respective responsibilities between myself, the director for the Welsh Office Health Department, as accounting officer, and the trust chairmen and their chief executive officers. The prime duty is to provide good quality health care for the people of Wales.

The financial obligations that trusts must meet are to break even, taking one year with another, make a target return—currently 6 per cent.—and stay within the annually established external financing limit.

Trusts are also required to publish annual reports and audited accounts and to hold at least one meeting a year open to the public.

Trusts are directly accountable to health authorities and GP fundholders through service contracts to agreed levels of quality, quantity and price.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what undertakings have been(a) sought and (b) given with regard to the continuity of employment for the chief executive-designate newly appointed by the University hospital of Wales—Cardiff Royal Infirmary trust designate subsequent to, and conditional upon, the formation of that NHS trust and his appointment of a chairman and board for it; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Redwood

None. South Glamorgan health authority as the employer has offered a contract to the chief executive designate of the University Hospital of Wales—Cardiff Royal Infirmary group. If the application for trust status is approved, the trust will be required to consider and approve the appointment of a chief executive.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the levels of borrowings of NHS trusts in Wales,(a) for capital developments and (b) for other purposes in each financial year for which figures are available.

Mr. Redwood

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave on 8 December 1994,Official Report, column 347.