HC Deb 17 July 2002 vol 389 cc431-2W
Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the financial arrangements are between the NHS and the Ministry of Defence relating to the cost of running the Royal Hospital, Haslar; [69270]

(2) what the cost to the National Health Service will be of (a) opening a diagnostic and treatment centre at the Royal Hospital, Haslar and (b) closing it in 2007. [69271]

Ms Blears

From April 2001 the responsibility for the delivery of most clinical services from the Royal Hospital Haslar transferred from the Ministry of Defence to the National Health Service, for both military and civilian patients. Arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Defence to ensure resources are made available to reflect this transfer. Financial arrangements for military

patients reflect the principles contained within the circular HSC 1999–112, Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs)—Financial Arrangements.

The development of a diagnostic and treatment centre is under way, the first phase taking place in April 2002. The Department has provided capital funding of £725,000 this year to support the development. Last year £40,000 was made available for project management costs. The centre will move to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham on completion of the private finance initiative re-development. This is scheduled to take place in 2007 and cost associated with the transfer cannot be estimated at this time.