HC Deb 08 December 1993 vol 234 cc245-6W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the responsibilities and terms of reference of the national health service estates information systems group;

(2) when the national health service estates information systems group was established; and to whom it reports.

Mr. Sackville

The group was established on 1 April 1992 and is part of National Health Service Estates, an

Clients Potentially permanent accommodation Lost
Focus team (Bloomsbury and Islington) 280 100 30
Mental health team (South East London) 349 102 28
Joint homelessness team (Westminster) 443 66 92
HELP team (East London and City) 150 33 32
Totals 1,222 301 182

Notes:

  1. 1. The figures provided by the FOCUS team are estimates.
  2. 2. A fifth team set up for Kensington and Chelsea has been running for less than one year. Valid data for this team are not yet available.
  3. 3. The category 'potentially permanent accommodation' has not been taken to include the hostels which have been set up under the HMI.
  4. 4. The exact definition of 'client' varies between teams.

executive agency of the Department of Health. It provides services to the NHS and other clients on a range of estates information systems and software products on a recover of cost basis. It also contributes to reducing the net cost of the agency's services by marketing activity. As part of the agency it is accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff the national health service estates information systems group employs; and what has been its annual budget since it was established, in the current year and its projected annual budgets.

Mr. Sackville

The group employs 16 full-time staff.

Since the group was established its annual budgets have been:—

£ million
1992–93 1.5
1993–94 1.6

As the service is provided on a recovery of cost basis, projected annual budgets will be in line with anticipated demands for its services.