HC Deb 04 February 2002 vol 379 cc778-9W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for health if he will list for each three star NHS trust in England the estimated value of assets held in(a) land and (b) buildings at the latest date for which figures are available. [28671]

MsBlears

The table shows the estimated net book value of three star national health service trust's(a) land and (b) buildings installaitons and fittings as at 31 March 2001.

management with regard to persistently failing NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [29397]

Mr. Hutton

The national health service performance ratings for acute trusts were published in September 2001. The ratings show that hospitals of a similar size perform differently. Variations in performance are largely down to hospital management teams. The direct effect of funding levels on performance has not been used in deciding the ratings, although maintaining financial balance is a key target.

The poorest performing, zero star trusts, have submitted performance improvement plans to the Department. These are being reviewed and will subsequently be monitored. The modernisation agency is playing a full role in this process, to bring the performance of these trusts up to a level that patients have the right to expect.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take into account(a) social, (b) economic and (c) demographic data when assessing an NHS hospital's (i) success and (ii) failure rate. [29396]

Mr. Hutton

The national health service performance ratings for acute trusts, published in September 2001, were based on areas of performance that are under the influence of hospital managers. Where appropriate, the performance indicators used in the assessment are standardised to take into account the age and sex of patients to make meaningful comparisons between hospital trusts.