§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimates he has made of the expected deficit in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area for health care in the financial year 1999–2000; [98555]
(2) what estimates he has made of the expected deficit in the North Essex Health Authority area for health care in the financial year 1999–2000. [98556]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 24 November 1999]: The income and expenditure positions of the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area and North Essex Health Authority area are forecast at Quarter 2 (September 1999) as given. 234W These forecasts were prepared before the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 21 December 1999 of an extra £134 million for the health service; £90 million relating to the costs of generic drugs has been allocated to health authorities. North Essex Health Authority has been allocated £1.5 million of this. The remaining £44 million will be allocated, as required, to meet the cost of clinical negligence claims.
The income and expenditure position of North Essex Health Authority in financial year 1999–2000 is forecast at Quarter 2 (September 1999) to be a surplus of £970,000.
The income and expenditure position of Mid Essex Community and Mental Health in financial year 1999–2000 is forecast at Quarter 2 (September 1999) to be a deficit of £149,000.
The income and expenditure position of Mid Essex Hospital Services in financial year 1999–2000 is forecast at Quarter 2 (September 1999) to be a deficit of £4.2 million.