§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 October 2001,Official Report, column 1241W, how many hospitals have received new radiotherapy equipment in the last two years paid for out of direct NHS funds. [11062]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 29 October 2001]: Information held centrally identifies 19 national health service trusts that have taken delivery of radiotherapy equipment (linear accelerators and simulators) over the past two years excluding those linear accelerators funded by the New Opportunities Fund. NHS trusts may purchase equipment through the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency; however it is not mandatory for NHS trusts to use NHS PASA and the relevant purchasing information in these instances would not be captured. In addition to this, some NHS trusts will have purchased other radiotherapy equipment for which comprehensive information is not available centrally.
Between 2000 and 2003 the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund will fund at least 40 treatment planning systems and 24 simulators for radiotherapy provision.