HC Deb 17 September 2004 vol 424 c1986W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the most recent total annual cost to the NHS of(a) SITREP returns and (b) monthly management information returns; and if he will make a statement. [187857]

Mr. Hutton

The impact on the national health service from making situation report (SITREP) returns to the Department was estimated to be 73 person years in 2003–04.

The impact on the NHS from monthly management information returns to the Department was estimated to be 19 person years in 2003–04.

The impact is estimated in person years, based on the time taken to complete the form or collection mechanism by the data suppliers in the NHS. This figure is an aggregate and the burden will be subject to considerable variation from one supplier, for example, a NHS trust, to the next, depending on their circumstances and systems. The overall estimate is therefore approximate.

Both reports are important parts of mandatory NHS performance in key patient areas and contribute data to performance ratings, now produced by the Healthcare Commission.