§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) hospitals and (b) NHS trusts have signed their annual contract with the National Blood Service (i) nationally and (ii) in each zone. [14456]
§ Mr. BoatengThe information is not collected in the form requested. However, details of the number of contracts signed for 1997–98 are as follows:
Zone Number London and South East 110 Midlands and South West 21 Northern 67 Total 198 A further 22 contracts have been agreed, but not yet signed.
To address the problems involved in the present arrangements, a working group has been set up to agree a common framework for commissioning and for national prices.