HC Deb 20 January 1995 vol 252 cc765-6W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evidence her Department has of trusts collaborating with each other in the provision of services;

(2) what rules regulate collaboration between trusts in adjoining areas and in disparate areas.

Mr. Malone

None. The organisation of services should, in all cases, reflect the best interests of the public as both patients and taxpayers. Health authorities have the duty to ensure the services meet the needs of their local population. On 12 December 1994, the national health service executive published HSG(94)55 entitled, "The Operation of the Internal Market: Local Freedoms, National Responsibilities".

This guide sets out the criteria by which arrangements between trusts may be assessed in order to ensure they serve the interests of the public. It states the circumstances in which the NHS executive will intervene to protect the wider public interest, balancing this against the need for local freedom to shape services to best meet the needs of the local population.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what time commitment is expected of(a) NHS trust chairmen and (b) NHS trust non-executive directors.

Mr. Malone

National health service trust chairmen and non-executive directors normally devote around 16 to 24 hours per week and 16 to 24 hours per month respectively.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have confidentiality clauses in their contracts for employees.

Mr. Malone

This information is not available centrally.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for 'Health how many trusts have merged since April 1991.

Mr. Sackville

Since April 1991, three mergers between trusts have taken place and 16 mergers between trusts and directly managed units.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts have contracts with district health authorities and regional health authorities that are (i) outside the district health authority area and (ii) outside the regional health authority area in which they are situated.

Mr. Sackville

This information is not available centrally.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount of accumulated assets of trust hospitals.

Mr. Sackville

The total value of net assets employed by trust hospitals at 31 March 1994 was £12,464,800,000.1

1Source: Trust summarised accounts for 1993–94. This figure is provisional being subject to audit by the National Audit Office.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surplus or loss has been accumulated by each trust hospital.

Mr. Sackville

The information will be placed in the Library.

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