§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations his Department has had(a) within and (b) outside the NHS about the (i) provision of sterilisation services and (ii) proposals for a new network of centralised sterile service facilities for the NHS in England. [90618]
§ Mr. LammyThe Department has not organised any formal consultation exercise about the provision of decontamination services. We did, however, organise a series of roadshows on decontamination for the national health service in 2001. Officials have also had numerous discussions with individual NHS trusts and other NHS organisations.
The Department is actively seeking to develop the market in sterile services and is encouraging new entrants as well as existing suppliers to participate in 146W NHS Trust in Havering regarding the building of a new hospital in Romford; and if he will make a statement. [90299]
§ Mr. HuttonI have had no discussions with the national health service trust in Havering regarding the building of a new hospital in Romford.
Barking Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust is making good progress with the development of the private finance initiative solution for the new hospital. It has selected a preferred bidder and the full business case (FBC) is now with the Department of Health. Subject to approval of the FBC, it is anticipated that contracts will be signed by March 2003.