§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the main duties and responsibilities of the north east trust zone, based in Leeds; how many people are 475W employed there full-time and part-time; what is the budget for 1993 and estimated budget for each of the next three years; which part of her Departmental budget supplies the funding; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe national health service management executive north east outpost is one of six outposts established by the management executive to monitor the performance of NHS trusts. The outpost has responsibility for monitoring NHS trusts within the geographical area covered by the Northern, Yorkshire and Trent regional health authorities. Within the zone there are 31 trusts established as part of the first and second waves and 40 units which will become trusts on 1 April 1993 as part of the third wave. In addition 35 applications are currently being considered from units that wish to become trusts as part of the fourth wave.
The main responsibilities of the outpost are as follows:
- Monitoring trusts' financial performance against statutory financial duties;
- Reviewing trusts' strategic direction and annual business plans;
- Appraising trusts' business cases for capital investment;
- Monitoring trusts' annual reports and accounts;
- Leading the assessment process for fourth wave trusts;
- Providing a channel of communication between trusts and the Management Executive.
The outpost has eight staff, all of whom are full-time. The budget for 1993–94 is £650,000. We expect the budget to reflect inflation in each of the next three years. Funding has been provided from within existing regional health authority allocations.