§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) guidelines and (b) other advice has been issued by his Department to (i) NHS bodies and (ii) other organisations regarding the extension of the private finance initiative to the operation of health services. [9081]
Lord James Douglas Hamilton[holding answer 15 January 1996]: The "Private Finance Guide", issued to the NHS in Scotland, is the main source of guidance on PH. In it, it is stated that the NHS would
manage and provide all the core health services, while the private sector partner could provide a fully serviced building. The precise division of responsibilities between the Trust and its private partner would need to be determined on the basis of whatever arrangement would offer best value for money and least risk".No other guidelines have been issued on this subject. It is for trusts and boards to make this decision. The model so far has been that trusts will continue to operate core health services, with the private sector operating support services.