§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in developing a comprehensive policy for the National Health Service. [68534]
§ Mr. HuttonThe NHS Plan published in July 2000, set out a far reaching reform programme to redesign the National Health Service around the needs of the patient.
Delivering the NHS Plan takes that process a stage further, by explaining how the record increases announced in this year's Budget, 7.4 per cent. per annum annual average increases above inflation, for the five years up to 2007–08, will enable us to go further and faster.
The table shows the change in numbers of organisations and different levels of responsibilities within the NHS since 1 April 1997. Service Commisioners Service Commissioners and Providers Service Commisioners Year HAs GPFHs PCGs PCTs NHS Trusts 1 April 1997 100 3,565 N/A N/A 425 1 April 1998 100 3,383 N/A N/A 403 1 April 1999 99 Scheme ended 481 N/A 342