§ Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the plans of the National Health Service Estates executive agency.
§ Mr. SackvilleI am pleased to report that National Health Service Estates has had a successful first year as an executive agency of this Department. I have agreed the agency's 1992–93 three-year corporate plan, and annual business plan.
Objectives/key tasks for the agency for 1992–93 are:
- 1. To keep within agreed running cost/cash limits and recover budgeted income flow by increasing efficiency, reducing costs and improving revenues saving 4 per cent on the agency's 1992–93 running cost allocation, producing 100 per cent. of services within time and cost agreed and assessing requirements for eventual move to the most suitable financial regime.
- 2. To facilitate the release of capital and revenue resources for improved health care through increasing uptake by NHS customers of agency asset management, estate utilisation, option appraisal and design products. Target for 1992–93 —£250-£500 million.
- 3. In the light of the health reforms, to agree with existing and new customers their changing requirements for products and services while identifying a further 30 per cent. of area 3 services for untying.
- 4. Manage the agency's relocation to Leeds by March 1993 maintaining service levels, credibility and morale.
- 5. To facilitate improved productivity by reviewing pay/performance and staff management requirements making recommendations by March 1993.
- 6. To improve product quality by implementing a programme to achieve BS 5750 quality assurance accreditation in 1993–94.