§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much extra funding will be made available to the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust to enable it to implement its franchise plan; [66491]
(2) how many extra (a) beds and (b) staff will be provided by the implementation of the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust franchise plan. [66490]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 2 July 2002]The franchise plan for Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals National Health Service Trust does not make any commitment to extra staff and beds. The plan makes proposals for improving recruitment at the trust to ensure existing vacancies are filled. It also states that a review of the provision of services between the two sites will take place to ensure resources are used effectively.
No additional funding will be provided centrally to the trust to implement the plan.