HC Deb 05 May 2004 vol 420 cc1610-1W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) value and (b) target capacity for the independent treatment centre awarded to Capio Healthcare in Newcastle is; what types of treatment it will offer; and when he expects the treatment centre to be functioning. [168700]

Mr. Hutton

The treatment centre at Newcastle is part of the independent sector treatment centre spine chain. The final contract has not yet been signed. It is expected that the treatment centre will open in April 2005 and will provide approximately 1,600 procedures per year for five years across a range of specialties including hernia repair, skin surgery, breast surgery, varicose vein, and ear, nose and throat and oral surgery; and 2,000 associated outpatient assessments.