§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement regarding how the Government will assess whether a hospital is failing; [68999]
(2) if he will make a statement on how quickly the management changes in failing hospitals will occur; [68997]
(3) if he will make a statement regarding the Government's plan to change the management of failing hospitals, with specific reference to having a common pay scale; [689961
(4) if he will make a statement on how extensive the management changes in failing hospitals will be. [68998]
§ Mr. LammyThe performance of hospital trusts is publicly assessed through a star rating system based on an organisation's performance against a range of national targets and indicators. Clinical governance reviews by the Commission for Health Improvement are also used to determine the star ratings. The poorest performing hospital trusts receive no stars.
Following publication of National Health Service performance ratings in September 2001, all zero star NHS trusts were given three months to provide detailed action plans highlighting how performance would be improved. Support has been provided by the Department and the NHS Modernisation Agency.
Franchise arrangements for new senior management has been initiated in six trusts to ensure delivery of the sustainable improvement necessary. This has led to the appointment of five new chief executives, with the outcome of the process still pending in the sixth.
1418WTrust chief executives are appointed and employed by NHS trust chairman and non-executives on behalf of the trust. The pay of the new chief executive is a matter for the trust and will be commensurate with the size and complexity of the management role.
Applications for future franchises will be invited from individuals and organisations from within and outside the NHS. These will last for a fixed time period. The franchises will include the replacement of the chief executive and could include other senior management roles if deemed necessary.