§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Royal Victoria hospital has obtained in revenue from health authorities in the Irish Republic through the sale of bed space and theatre time for the treatment of patients from the Irish Republic; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the sale on the treatment of patients from within Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AncramThe Royal group of hospitals has won a contract to carry out hip replacement operations for Eire patients. Under this arrangement some 300 patients will undergo surgery at the Royal. This has now commenced. The contract involves a half million pounds deal in a major bid by the Cork regional hospital to reduce its waiting list. No Northern Ireland people will suffer because of the Royal's arrangement with Cork. The Royal group remains committed to fulfilling obligations to patients through existing contracts with Northern Ireland health and social services boards. These contracts do not at present include hip replacement procedures.