HC Deb 18 February 1992 vol 204 c107W
19. Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress by national health service hospital trusts.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Recently my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that 99 hospitals and other units will be established in the second wave of national health service trusts in April 1992, while four London teaching hospitals will become operational as trusts in April 1993.

To date, 153 hospitals and other units have indicated that they may apply to become trusts in April 1993. If all these were to be successful, two thirds of national health service hospitals and other units would be operating as national health service trusts.

First-wave national health service trusts across the country have already made significant improvements in the care they can offer their patients.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in the first wave of trust hospitals how many executive directors were appointed following advertisements and competitive interviews and how many were appointed without competition; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

This information is not collected centrally. The appointment of executive directors is a matter for the National Health Service Trust Board in accordance with the National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Regulations and the Department's guidance which states that the post of chief executive must be advertised except when the trust is first established.

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been his Department's total expenditure to date on the introduction of national health service trusts.

Mr. Dorrell

Figures are not available, but the cost is not significant and will be more than offset by the improvements in efficiency in delivering the service.