§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of providing funding directly to the Regional Disablement Service rather than through health boards. [187786]
§ Angela SmithFunding for the Regional Disablement Service is provided by the four Health and Social Services Boards from the Physical and Sensory Disability Programme of Care budget via Service Level Agreements with Green Park Trust for the provision of services. The agreements are subject to regular monitoring and performance management to ensure that the best possible care is provided. As each Board has a statutory responsibility for the commissioning of services for its resident population, and the current arrangements provide a robust accountability regime, there are no plans to change them.
1490W
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is planned that the Regional Disablement Service should provide satellite clinics in the Province. [187787]
§ Angela SmithThe contract for provision of prosthetic and technician services is currently being tendered. The new contract provides for the establishment of satellite clinics during its term, which commences 1 April 2005 and runs for a period of seven years. A detailed specification for a satellite service and its funding would have to be developed in collaboration with Health and Social Services Boards ahead of its actual establishment.