§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the financial implications are for the(a) South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, (b) Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Trust and (c) Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust of the decision to award them one star status. [126960]
§ Dr. LadymanThere are no direct financial penalties for National Health Service organisations awarded one star for their performance in 2002–03, although one-off capital bonus payments are reserved for three star organisations. One star organisations may receive assistance from the Modernisation Agency in the form of specific programmes of tailored support to help improve performance.