§ 16. Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from national health service trusts about budgetary constraints. [2188]
189W
§ Mr. HoramNone. National health service trusts are no longer given budgets, but earn their income from providing services to purchasers of health care. The level of income a trust receives is subject to contractual negotiation with purchasers each financial year.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that national health service trusts retain flexibility over whether or not to contract out specific services. [2185]
§ Mr. HoramThe only requirement on trusts is to market test catering, domestic and linen-laundry services at regular intervals. Otherwise it is for individual trusts to decide which services to market test, and when, in order to reflect local circumstances and needs.