HC Deb 26 February 2003 vol 400 cc609-10W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much(a) Barnet PCT and (b) other PCTs have contributed, outside the original yearly budget, to the deficits at Barnet Chase Farm, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [98939]

Mr. Hutton

Information on the level of individual service agreements between primary care trusts and National Health Service trusts is not collected centrally.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) current and (b) accumulated deficit is of Barnet Chase Farm Trust; and if he will make a statement. [98944]

Mr. Hutton

Barnet and Chase Farm's audited financial position for 2002–03 will be available later this year. The accumulated income and expenditure position of the trust as at 31 March 2002, as reported in its 2001-02 audited annual accounts, was a surplus of £562,000.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions in what timeframe at Barnet Chase Farm Trust to bring the costs of their service into line with other comparable trusts; and if he will make a statement. [98945]

Mr. Hutton

Barnet and Chase Farm Trust has made considerable progress in bringing the costs of its services in line with comparable trusts as measured by the National Reference Cost Index. The National Reference Cost Index for Barnet and Chase Farm Trust has reduced from 121 in 1999–2000 to 105 in 2001–02, where 100 represents the national average.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make arrangements to require Barnet Chase Farm Trust to submit reports on performance to the PCTs who commission services from them. [98946]

Mr. Hutton

Arrangements are already in place for Barnet and Chase Farm Trust to submit reports on performance to the primary care trusts (PCTs) which commission services from it. Regular monthly performance reports are received by Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals National Health Service Trust's Board and are sent to the PCTs. There are also regular review meetings with PCTs to discuss progress on plans.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent Barnet PCT is permitted to switch the commissioning of services from Barnet Chase Farm Hospital to other hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [98947]

Mr. Hutton

Primary care trusts (PCTs) have the freedom to commission services from wherever they believe appropriate based on the needs of their local population. Barnet PCT already commissions services for its residents from a number of hospitals other than Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

Any significant changes in provider would affect local partners and would occur with the agreement of those partners within the context of the local delivery plan. Changes would be expected to result from public and patient involvement and where significant change is planned, from public consultation.