§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of extra contractual referrals(a) in total and (b) for prostheses users in each year since 1994–95. [69222]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on extra contractual referrals (ECRs) outturn expenditure has been collected by health authorities since 1994–95. Actual outturn expenditure figures (unaudited) for ECRs are available from 1994–95 through to 1997–98 and forecast outturn figures for 1998–99. The figures are:
Year £ million 1994–95 386 1995–96 438 1996–97 494 1997–98 530 1998–99 1495 1 forecast outturn Information on ECRs for prostheses users is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how his Department calculates the cost-benefit ratio of out of area referrals for prostheses users whose own limb centre cannot meet their individual needs for comfort, capability and cosmesis; [69223]
(2) how many extra contractual referrals were made (a) in total and (b) for prostheses users in each year since 1994–95. [69221]
§ Mr. HuttonThe information requested is not collected centrally or validated, but it may be available at health authority level for individual health authorities.