§ Lord Peyton of Yeovilasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the annual cost of the Healthcare Commission; and whether they have made any estimate of the cost, in time and money, which compliance with the rules and requirements of the commission imposes on general practitioners. [HL266]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)For 2004–05, its first full year of operation, we expect the Healthcare Commission to operate at a cost to the Department of Health of £63 million. It also anticipates receipt of £4.1 million in fees from the independent sector.
80WAAll Healthcare Commission assessments are by National Health Service organisations rather than individual practitioners, although visits are sometimes focused on individual practices. On 29 November. the commission launched Assessment for Improvement, a consultation on its future approach to assessment. This makes it clear that the commission will assess the cost of its activities, including the cost for healthcare organisations, to demonstrate its added value.