§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the work of the Royal Free trust.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe receive information on all the first wave NHS trusts and we are glad to say that the Royal Free is doing well. We are especially pleased to note that since becoming a trust the Royal Free has opened a new AIDS day care, out-patient, and counselling centre. It is also pleasing to note that the Royal Free has sucessfully devised and launched its own "Learning from Patients" initiative. This scheme sits particularly well with the spirit and aims of the patients charter.
We are delighted to note the increase in admissions which the Royal Free has achieved since becoming a trust. This is illustrated by the fact that in the trust's first year ordinary admissions increased by 4.2 per cent. We are very pleased to note the trust's success in reducing its waiting lists. For example in June 1991 there were 560 people waiting over a year for general surgery, currently no one has to wait over a year, a reduction of 100 per cent. in seven months.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions prevent a hospital trust or other trust from seeking to leave the national health service.
§ Mr. DorrellBy virtue of section 5(a) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is empowered to establish NHS trusts to assume responsibility for the ownership and management of hospitals or other establishments or facilities previously provided by health authorities. The order establishing the trust sets out its functions and it may only undertake to treat private patients and generate income to the extent that this does not interfere with the performance of its obligations under any NHS contract or the obligations imposed on the trust by its establishment order.