§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what discussions the South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust had with Ayrshire and Arran health board and the North Ayrshire NHS trust prior to their agreement with Medical Support Ltd. for the provision of a magnetic resonance image scanner at the Ayr hospital, with special reference to the effect of the new facility on existing facilities; [16730]
(2) when the South Ayrshire Hospitals trust first considered entering a contract with Ayrshire Medical Support Ltd. for the provision of a magnetic image resonancing facility at the Ayr hospital; and at what stage Ayrshire and Arran health board and the Scottish Office became involved in these discussions. [16732]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonDiscussions between those parties on service needs and on means of meeting these needs took place in November and December 1994. It was at the December meeting that the South Ayrshire trust representative indicated that the trust was proposing to purchase a fixed base scanner. My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State was made aware of the proposal in February 1995.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland where magnetic resonance imaging facilities within the Ayrshire and Arran health board area and neighbouring health boards are based; and what is the nature of the current agreements and contracts for existing equipment. [16731]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThere are at present no fixed-base magnetic resonance imaging scanners in Ayrshire and Arran, Argyll and Clyde, Lanarkshire or Dumfries and Galloway. There are such fixed scanners in Glasgow and the Southern General hospital and Western infirmary and at Ross Hall and the Glasgow Nuffield hospital.
The agreements for 1995–96 propose the increased use of the mobile magnetic resonance scanner alternating week about between Crosshouse hospital and Ayr hospital.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what control the South Ayrshire Hospitals trust has over Ayrshire Medical Support Ltd. as regards the provision of magnetic resonance imaging facilities at the Ayr hospital; if he will make a statement on the financial details of this contract, the contract's duration, the trust's liabilities under the contract; and for what reasons the South Ayrshire Hospitals trust opted for the involvement of the private sector in this facility. [16739]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust will, through a contract, control the quality and price of the magnetic resonance imaging service from Ayrshire Medical Support Ltd. The contract details have still to be finalised.
The trust's potential liability is limited to the loss of building lease income amounting to £20,000 per annum. The trust would seek to mitigate this loss, should it ever arise, by securing an alternative use for the premises.
The trust believes that the new arrangements will result in an improved service to patients.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what process was used by Ayrshire and Arran health board to evaluate the decision of the South Ayrshire Hospitals trust to conclude the recent contract700W with Ayrshire Medical Support Ltd. and what additional resources are being awarded to the trust to enable it to meet its obligations under its contract with Ayrshire Medical Support Ltd. [16740]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe health board contracts with the South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust for the provision of magnetic resonance imaging services. It is open to the trust to make its own arrangements for securing that provision, subject to the health board being satisfied that the quality and price is contained within the sum made available for the current mobile service in 1995–96.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS trust will make resources available to meet its obligations under the terms of its contract with Ayrshire Medical Support Ltd. and if he will make a statement. [16741]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe trust will meet the costs of the service from Ayrshire Medical Support Ltd. as it will any other services, from the contract income it receives from its purchasers.