HC Deb 11 May 1999 vol 331 cc133-4W
Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce the completion of the private finance initiative project to replace Loughborough's general hospital. [83167]

Mr. Denham

The National Health Service Executive has received a revised Full Business Case from Fosse Health NHS Trust for the scheme to replace Loughborough's General Hospital. The NHS Executive has agreed a deadline for an initial response to the trust of 30 May 1999.

The revised Full Business Case is based on the best and final offer which was received from the preferred bidder on 3 November 1998.

Fosse Health NHS Trust was merged with Leicestershire Mental Health Services NHS Trust on 1 April 1999. The new trust is named Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust. The merger will not affect the submitted proposals for the scheme.

the regional offices of the NHS Executive, to fund specially targeted initiatives as part of the Government's commitment to improve services and modernise the NHS.