§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the penalties that apply to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Warrford if surgical waiting list targets across all surgical disciplines are not met. [31547]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 29 January 2002]: The performance against waiting list targets by the Royal Devon and Exeter healthcare national health service trust will be one of a number of criteria used to assess the trust in the annual performance ratings. There are no financial penalties if the trust does not reach key targets on waiting times; however, the trust's performance rating will determine how the trust can use additional monies from the performance fund. The best performing trusts gain additional freedoms in recognition of their success.