§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what returns and at what intervals are made to her by hospitals on the average costs of procedures; and in what form those returns are made available to Parliament.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department does not routinely collect information on the costs of particular operations or procedures. However, since 1987–88 the Department has collected annual figures on average treatment costs by specialty by district. The health service indicators have included average treatment costs for patients using a hospital bed for most specialties. A copy of the indicators is available in the Library. For 1991–92 the specialty costs
818W(b) administrative and clerical staff and (c) nursing and midwifery staff in (i) the South-East Staffordshire health authority area and (ii) the Mid-Staffordshire health health authority in each year since 1987.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe figures are shown in the table.
return was developed to collect total average costs by specialty on a provider unit basis. When the 1991–92 indicators are published later this year average specialty costs will therefore be at hospital rather than district level.