§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the role of community hospitals in the NHS 10 year national plan. [137404]
§ Mr. DenhamThe National Health Service Plan announced a major programme of investment in intermediate care and related services to promote independence and improved quality of care for older people.
378WAs part of this investment, there will be 5,000 extra intermediate care beds by 2004, and the Plan makes it clear that some of these will be in community hospitals.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consideration he gave to the PFI bid to build a new community hospital in Lymington as a separate project from other community hospitals; [137403]
(2) for what reasons he rejected the PFI bid to build a new community hospital in Lymington; [137405]
(3) if he will make a statement about the future of the proposed new community hospital at Lymington. [137402]
§ Mr. DenhamEach private finance initiative (PFI) scheme is considered on its own merits and will only be approved if it is clearly demonstrated that the PFI option delivers better value for money to the National Health Service and the taxpayer when compared to the publicly funded alternative.
Despite intensive efforts by the NHS, the Lymington Community Hospital PFI proposal did not produce a viable value for money solution. It was therefore decided to terminate negotiations with the PFI preferred bidder.
The local NHS will now conduct a review with all key stakeholders to assess possible options to deliver the required facilities in Lymington. The outcome will be announced as soon as possible.