§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimates he has made of variations in the efficiency of health services across different health authorities; and if he will make a statement.[11067]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 31 October 2001]: The national health service performance indicators were published in July 2000, and can be found on the Department's website: www.doh.gov.uk/nhsperformanceindicators. This includes a comparison of the performance of health authorities across a number of different aspects of performance, including efficiency.
The information we have published shows there is variation in performance, including for day case rates, length of stay, and prescribing. Publishing comparative information of this sort is key to both improving performance and strengthening public accountability.