Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used by the Eastern area health and social services board in drawing up its present contracts as a customer of (i) the Royal Victoria hospital, (ii) the Belfast city hospital and (iii) the Ulster hospital, Dundonald; and what is the value of the present contracts at these three hospitals. [24377]
§ Mr. MossThe criteria used by the Eastern health and social services board in contracting for services take account of: Government policy; the assessed health and social care needs of its resident population; the available resources; the services offered by providers and their effectiveness, efficiency, quality and value for money; and patient and client choice.
The value of 1995–96 contracts between the Eastern health and social services board and (i) the Royal Group of hospitals trust (ii) the Belfast City hospital trust and (iii) the Ulster North Down and Ards hospital trust are as follows:
Provider 1995–96 Contract value £ Royal Group of Hospitals Trust 48,301,000 Belfast City Hospital Trust 39,082,000 Ulster, North Down, and Ards Hospitals Trust 38,080,000