HC Deb 31 January 2003 vol 398 cc1054-5W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans are being drawn up by(a) East Somerset NHS trust and (b) Dorset and Somerset health authority to establish a new diagnostic and treatment centre in Yeovil; and if he will make a statement. [92559]

Ms Blears

Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority in their capacity plan have set out a range of proposals to meet local targets for access.

Among their proposals was a development at Yeatman hospital in Sherbourne, which sought to expand capacity in the area served by east Somerset national health service trust. This scheme has many of the features of the national diagnostic treatment centre (DTC) programme as it seeks to create dedicated elective capacity for a modern, patient focused, high productivity clinical service. The trust is currently producing a business case for this development, which will require approval by local primary care trusts and the StHA before it proceeds.

A proposal to create a new provider DTC in Somerset delivered through the local procurement route has been agreed. It is not currently envisaged that this DTC will be in Yeovil. A further proposal was to explore whether a new provider DTC may be required to serve an area in eastern Dorset and western Hampshire. It is not currently envisaged that this DTC will be in Yeovil.