§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in respect of clinical services delivered to National Health Service patients covered by standard tariffs, a National Health Service foundation trust will be obliged to charge primary care trusts the standard tariff price in all circumstances for every item of service; and, if not, in what circumstances the standard tariff could be varied. [HL1177]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThere will be a transition path to move providers to the national tariff, but once the new system of financial flows has been fully implemented the same rules will apply to foundation trusts and other National Health Service providers. Details of how the scheme will operate will be published in due course.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What sources of capital in the public sector will be available to National Health Service foundation trusts as referred to in paragraph 5.13 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts; and who will determine whether and on what terms public sector capital will be made available to a National Health Service foundation trust. [HL1178]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health will determine on what terms public sector capital will be made available.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a National Health Service foundation trust will be able to use the financial surpluses made by achieving efficiency gains which reduce its cost of delivery below the standard tariff which it must charge to primary care trusts for (a) reducing the tariffs for the same or other regulated services provided to primary care trusts, (b) cross-subsidising the prices charged to primary care trusts for regulated services not covered by the standard tariffs or (c) cross-subsidising the prices of non-regulated services. [HL1179]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathAll commissioned National Health Service services will be subject to the standard national tariff. NHS foundation trusts will have freedom over the way they use any financial surpluses, subject to the requirements of their licence and their primary purpose of providing health services for the benefit of NHS patients and the community.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (WA 34), (a) what are the elements of the legislative framework which apply currently to the private finance initiative projects of National Health Service trusts; and (b) in what way, if any, that framework will need to be adapted for National Health Service foundation trusts. [HL1204]
172WA
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe NHS (Residual Liabilities) Act 1996 (the 1996 Act) and the NHS (Private Finance) Act 1997 (the 1997 Act) (together the protective legislation) currently govern the private finance initiative projects of National Health Service trusts. Any necessary changes will be included in forthcoming legislation.
§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (WA 39), whether the independent regulator will have any functions in relation to private finance initiative transactions undertaken by National Health Service foundation trusts. [HL1205]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe independent regulator will not have any functions in relation to private finance initiative transactions undertaken by National Health Service foundation trusts.