HC Deb 22 May 2003 vol 405 cc967-8W
Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 6 May 2003,Official Report, column 66W, what informal meetings have taken place to discuss the financial problems of North Cheshire Hospital NHS Trusts. [113084]

Jacqui Smith

In accordance with the Strategic Health Authority's (SHA) role in monitoring and supporting national health service trusts to meet their financial responsibilities, officers of the Cheshire and Merseyside SHA hold meetings and have discussions with all hospital trusts, primary care trusts and health communities within their boundary, either individually or in groups, on a regular and on-going basis.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when and by whom an approach was made by the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority to the chair of the Five Boroughs Mental Health trust, for assistance with the financial problems of North Cheshire hospitals NHS trust; and what the nature was of the assistance requested. [113085]

Jacqui Smith

The Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority (CMSHA) has not approached the chair of the Five Boroughs Partnership national health service trust concerning the financial status of the North Cheshire Hospitals NHS trust. However, the CMSHA has agreed a six months secondment of an experienced director of finance from a Merseyside NHS trust to cover a vacancy at the north Cheshire hospitals NHS trust.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 6 May 2003,Official Report, column 663W, if he will make a statement on the recovery plan agreed in June 2002 for north Cheshire hospitals NHS Trust; how much money was to be transferred from other trusts in north Cheshire; and which services would be affected as a result. [113086]

Jacqui Smith

Recovery plans were developed by the north Cheshire health community, including the north Cheshire hospitals national health service trust. Those plans were reviewed by the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority (CMSHA) and after they were seen to be failing, a revision was requested in October 2002, which is now subject to a review by the Audit Commission. No money was to be transferred from other NHS trusts in north Cheshire. However, the CMSHA has facilitated brokerage from other organisations elsewhere in Cheshire and Merseyside to ensure that there is no impact on services in north Cheshire and to facilitate local developments.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 6 May 2003,Official Report, column 663W, if he will place a copy of the Audit Commission's review of the recovery plan for the North Cheshire Health Community in the Library. [113087]

Jacqui Smith

The current review by the Audit Commission will take the form of a facilitative approach to confirm the trust's financial position and further develop cross-organisational co-operation to improve financial and operational performance. It is expected to report back via presentational feedback, rather than as a formal report. However, when the review is completed, the chief executive of the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority will write to the hon. Member for Warrington, North, the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Helen Southworth) and the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mr. Hall) with its findings.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time taken by the Chief Executive of Cheshire and Merseyside SHA to respond to a request from an hon. Member that she telephone them since her appointment. [113089]

Jacqui Smith

The Chief Executive of the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority treats any contact from an hon. Member very seriously. It is her policy to return calls on the same day where possible or at the earliest possible opportunity.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual running costs are of the headquarters of the Cheshire and Merseyside SHA; and how many staff are employed there. [113090]

Jacqui Smith

Each strategic health authority was allocated a budget of £4 million in 2002–03 to cover their running costs.