§ Lord Howie of Troonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What budget has been set for establishing a special health authority for National Health Service professionals; and whether funds from past National Health Service Professionals start-up costs will be transferred to the new authority; and [HL3123]
What ongoing financial support is expected to be required by the National Health Service Professionals Special Health Authority; and [HL3124]
When the National Health Service Professionals Special Health Authority is expected to be self-funding; and [HL3125]
When the Department of Health will publish a business plan for the National Health Service Professionals Special Health Authority; and [HL3126]
What additional charges and fees National Health Service Professionals currently make to National Health Service trusts for providing its services; and what are the levels of those charges and fees; and [HL3127]
105WAWhat percentage of the costs paid by National Health Service trusts to National Health Service Professionals is (a) paid to the nurse or health worker; and (b) retained by National Health Service Professionals. [HL3128]
§ Lord WarnerThe Department of Health has allocated £26.6 million to the new NHS Professionals Special Health Authority for 2004–05. This, taking into account moneys from the previous year, brings the total investment to £32.8 million for 2004–05. It is anticipated that NHS Professionals will be self-financing by 2006–07. A copy of the NHS Professionals business plan, which outlines its strategy for the next three years, will be placed in the Library shortly.
Approximately 93 per cent of the costs paid by National Health Service trusts to NHS Professionals relates to direct salary costs, with approximately 7 per cent charged in relation to on-costs such as national insurance and superannuation. In addition, NHS Professionals normally levies an average management fee of 7.5 per cent to NHS trusts for each shift they fill, although this can vary according to arrangements agreed locally. This fee also covers an element for training and development. NHS Professionals is a non-profit making organisation and the management fee is set at a level sufficient to recoup the cost to NHS Professionals of delivering the service.