§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the amount by which Hertfordshire will overspend on the NHS budget in the current financial year. [13244]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 12 November 2001]: The estimated projected overspend across Hertfordshire in 2001–02 is £8 million of which £5.1 million is for East and North Hertfordshire National Health Service Trust and £2.9 million in respect of prescribing. There are long standing financial issues that affect Hertfordshire and the NHS eastern regional office is actively involved in agreeing a financial recovery plan.