HL Deb 29 February 2000 vol 610 cc65-6WA
Lord Clement-Jones

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the statement by Baroness Hayman on 17 June 1999 (H.L. Deb., col. 447), when and in what form the first annual reports, to be published locally on the new regional specialised commissioning arrangements, will be made public; and what guidance has been given to commissioning bodies about what details the reports should contain. [HL1091]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The first annual reports on the new regional arrangements for commissioning specialised services will be published locally this summer and a full set of the eight reports will be made available in the Library. Advice has been given on the structure and content of the annual reports and, once finalised, a copy of the advice will be placed in the Library.

The National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group, which deals nationally with some of the most specialised services of all, including specialised mental health services for deaf children, already produces an annual report in the autumn. This will be extended to cover national lessons emerging from the regional arrangements so that there is a comprehensive and readily accessible account available. A copy will also be placed in the Library.