§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the criteria in respect of(a) financial savings, (b) waiting list reduction, (c) increase in treatments and (d) reduction in managerial staff numbers he will use in his decision on the proposed merger between the Ashford (Middlesex) and St. Peter's (Chertsey) Hospital NHS Trust. [18419]
§ Mr. MilburnAny proposal to merge National Health Service trusts will be considered on its own merits. Most importantly, they must lead to benefits for patients in improved health care. We have set a minimum target of £500,000 management savings which must be realised in the first two years of merger and be reinvested in patient care.
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General practitioner fundholding accounts Number of funds making savings Savings retained from budget (£000) Number of funds overspending Overspends incurred on budget (£000) Surrey Family Health Services Authority 1993–94 21 1,559 9 522 1994–94 26 1,380 15 1,085 West Surrey Health Authority 1995–96 23 952 11 462
§ Mr. MilburnThe second Report to Parliament on the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme was published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.