§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the size of the risk fund needed to implement the national tariff payment by results system across all NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement. [152821]
§ Mr. HuttonIn 2004–05, we are considering allocating up to £50 million to specialist and teaching first wave national health service foundation trusts which are implementing the full transition to payment by results a year ahead of the rest of the NHS. The funding will be made available to address the costs of highly complex and specialised cases for first wave applicants for 2004–05, because the methodology to address these costs within the national tariff will not be ready for implementation until 2005–06. These funds will be available for 2004–05 only.