§ 103. Mr. Jack ThompsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure has been incurred in pursuing the opting-out proposals for the Northumbria ambulance service.
§ Mr. FreemanOver £85 million has been made available this year for the implementation of the NHS review proposals. Of this, £35 million has been allocated to regional health authorities to enable them to develop the finance and personnel functions, to strengthen the public health function, to prepare for the introduction of capital charges and medical audit, and to create new consultant posts as promised in the White Paper, Northern RHA has been allocated £2,478 million. No additional resources have been made available specifically for the preparation of NHS trusts. However, all authorities including those with units considering this option will benefit from the overall strengthening of key management functions.