HC Deb 28 March 2000 vol 347 cc122-3W
30. Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the first primary care trusts to become operational. [115179]

Mr. Denham

Seventeen primary care trusts will become operational on 1 April 2000. They will deliver more integrated primary and community services, ensuring better access for patients, therefore providing a stronger role for community services in the National Health Service.

32. Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of(a) the cost of setting up primary care trusts and (b) the cost of their annual operation. [115181]

Mr. Denham

Each health authority where there is a proposal to establish a primary care trust (PCT) receives a contribution from central funds of £25,000 towards the costs of preparing the proposal for local consultation and of the consultation itself. If the proposal is approved by the Secretary of State, a further central contribution is made towards the preparatory costs of the PCT. This contribution comprises £100,000 for a commissioning only PCT or £175,000 for a PCT which will also provide services. In addition, local health systems are expected to contribute to the costs of establishing and developing a new PCT.

Seventeen PCTs have been approved to begin operating from 1 April at a total central cost of £3.325 million. Information is not, however, held centrally on the total cost of establishing each PCT.