§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what stage the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS trust's proposed capital investment plan has reached; 519W and what further stages must be passed for it to obtain approval. [2163]
§ Mr. SackvilleI understand that Dudley health authority is conducting a public consultation on the implications of the proposed capital development by the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS trust. When this is complete the trust will need to prepare and submit an outline business case to the NHS executive west midlands regional office and then, providing it is content, test the project for private finance. Assuming these stages proceed satisfactorily, the next step will be to prepare a full business case for consideration by the NHS executive headquarters who will decide whether the project needs to be submitted to HM Treasury for approval.