§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what control NHS hospital trusts have over the volume of patients being referred to hospitals. [133403]
§ Mr. HuttonPrimary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for commissioning sufficient activity from national health service trusts and other providers to meet the needs of their local population. The levels of activity required from NHS trusts should be specified in service agreements (SAs) and will represent a ceiling to the Trusts contractual obligations.
Where either there are no SAs in place or the activity levels specified in a SA have already been met by the trust, the PCT is responsible for commissioning additional activity to meet the needs of its patients.
HSC 2002/007 (Securing Service Delivery: Commissioning Freedoms of Primary Care Trusts) and HSC 1998/198 (Commissioning in the new NHS) provide further information. Copies are available in the Library.