§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the changes in administrative costs to the NHS in Wales consequent upon the reorganisation of NHS trusts this year and over the next four years. [71170]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesA new configuration of NHS trusts in Wales will be in place from 1 April 1999. The net savings (costs) in running costs for the first 5 years have been estimated as follows:
Year £000 1999–2000 (4,860) 2000–01 3,100 2001–02 6,320 2002–03 6,620 2003–04 6,740 These figures are indicative as total costs depend on exact details of redundancies which are yet to be established. Therefore, 1999–2000 costs may be reduced.
Following the transfer of powers, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.