§ Mr. John Browneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current estimated cost of operating theatre time per hour in the National Health Service in England.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department does not at present collect specific information on the cost of operating theatre time and we have no estimate of the overall average for the National Health Service. The new form of health authority accounts being introduced from the financial year 1987–88 will include information on operating theatre costs. This is part of the changes being made to implement the recommendations of the steering group on health services information.