§ Lord Chanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements have been made to commission specialist services in children's hospitals in the North West of England, and when the commissioning scheme will be published. [HL5682]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathRecent guidance following Shifting the Balance of Power indicates that the lead commissioning of specialist services is the collective responsibility of all primary care trusts (PCTs). PCTs are expected to collaborate with neighbouring PCTs to commission services and work as part of consortia.
Within the North West there are three PCT led specialist commissioning teams, one covering each of the three strategic health authority areas. Specialist children's services are included in the work of these teams.
Resources and plans for these services are included in the service and financial framework process, which begins when the planning and priorities guidance is issued in the autumn.