§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when Kingston Hospital will receive the capital funding necessary for the new permanent ward block. [47552]
§ Mr. MilburnApproval to build a new permanent ward block will follow the normal route for such schemes. The first stage is the submission by the trust of a strategic outline case. This is expected to be submitted to the National Health Service Executive by the autumn of this year. If it is felt that the scheme is not likely to attract private sector interest it will then be considered for inclusion in a future annual regional capital programme. Alternatively the trust will seek a private sector partner to develop the scheme under the Private Finance Initiative. In this case, public capital will not be required.