§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have been held with the private finance bidder for the East Ayrshire community hospital; what was the subject of these discussions; and if he will make a statement. [14609]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonOfficials from the Scottish Office Department of Health have only once met the bidder. The discussion took place last summer and was about the private finance initiative in general and not the East Ayrshire community hospital project.
686WDiscussion with bidders on specific projects is normally a matter for the trust or health board concerned, not the officials within the Department.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what alternative provision has been made in east Ayrshire to take account of the closure of facilities at Ballochmyle hospital together with the delay in the provision of services at East Ayrshire community hospital. [14610]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonBallochmyle hospital would not close until alternative facilities were available.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions officers of his Department have had with(a) Ayrshire and Arran health board and (b) Ayrshire and Arran Community NHS trust about the East Ayrshire community trust, and what further discussions are planned with each body. [14608]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonScottish Office officials are in frequent contact with Ayrshire and Arran health board and the Ayrshire and Arran Community NHS trust to discuss East Ayrshire hospital and other topics. Further discussions will take place as required.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the delay in approving one of the options for funding the East Ayrshire community hospital; when he expects that decision to be made; and if he will make a statement. [14611]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe only representations received have been from the hon. Member. The trust and its preferred bidder are currently engaged in detailed negotiations over proposals under the private finance initiative which will come to a conclusion shortly.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made in his Department's budget for the current and future years for the funding of the East Ayrshire community hospital by the public funding method outside the private finance initiative. [14612]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonPublic capital funds are held in a capital pool until a business case is approved for a publicly funded scheme No specific provision is made for any scheme until approval is given. Each business case submission is assessed on its own merits and in terms of its national priority.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the facilities to be provided in the proposed new East Ayrshire community hospital; what changes have occurred since the original specifications were approved by Ayrshire and Arran health board; and if he will make a statement. [14613]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe base specification of facilities is shown in the table:
687W
Facilities to be provided GP medium acute rehabilitation unit 24 beds Out-patient services for 15,000 consultant attendances 13,000 paramedical attendances Day hospital 12 frail elderly places 6 mental health places 6 young physically disabled places
Facilities to be provided Continuing respite care 25 frail elderly places 25 mental health places An option to include 15 further frail elderly continuing/respite care places was also specified. No changes to the original specification have been made.