§ Mr. Tony ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the negotiations for public-private projects in regard to the Mental Health Acute Hospital in Northampton. [100802]
§ Mr. LammyA new facility, with a capital value of £20 million, is to be procured via the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in South Northamptonshire, including Daventry and South Northants Primary Care Trust and Northampton Primary Care Trust, to develop the provision of in-patient acute mental health care for the south of the county. 13 expressions of interest were received and evaluated to six who received the pre-invitation to negotiate (ITN).
The pre-ITN responses were evaluated and three bidders were selected to receive the final ITN. The trust anticipates issuing the best and final offer instructions to the three remaining bidders in May 2003, based on the revised clinical model (similar bed numbers, different configuration) and provision of hard facilities management services only. This mirrors the trust's PFI re-provision for the north of the county where they are at preferred bidder stage, anticipating financial close in May-June 2003.