§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which hospitals within the London initiative zone are to be fined for failure to meet patients charter standards; and how much each fine will be;
(2) which hospitals in each of the regional health areas are to be fined for not meeting patients charter standards; and how much each fine will be.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere is no central policy which imposes financial sanctions on hospitals failing to meet patients charter standards. District health authorities are, however, at liberty to negotiate sanctions through the contracting process.
Allocations through the national health service management executive's waiting times fund, for the last few years, have been linked to regions' performance on waiting times objectives. Some regions pass on any fines to district health authorities and hospitals. The hon. Member may care to contact the regions directly for more detailed information.