HC Deb 13 May 2004 vol 421 cc26-7WS
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Angela Smith)

The targets, which have been set for 2004–05, are based on the strategic aims and objectives of the agency as set out in section 4 of its corporate and business plan. The targets are in line with the Department's policy of seeking to improve the service provided to the agency's clients in terms of both quality and value for money and I am satisfied that they present a demanding challenge for the agency. A copy of the corporate and business plan will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The targets are as follows:

Quality 95 per cent. of the service provided by the Agency's Client Support staff to external clients to be regarded as satisfactory, of which 35 per cent. of the service to be regarded as either very good or excellent. 95 per cent. of the service provided by the Agency's Project Management staff to external clients to be regarded as satisfactory, of which 35 per cent. of the service to be regarded as either very good or excellent. 95 per cent. of the service provided by the Agency's Trust Consultancy Support staff to external clients to be regarded as satisfactory, of which 35 per cent. of the service to be regarded as either very good or excellent. 90 per cent. of the service provided by the Agency's Specialist Engineering staff to external clients to be regarded as satisfactory, of which 30 per cent. of the service to be regarded as either very good or excellent.

Throughput/Service Delivery Complete eight Firecode audits on HSS bodies by 31 March 2005. Complete testing against Health Service guidance and relevant British and European Standards and issue Test Reports to the Authorised Person in respect of 110 sterilizers and washer disinfectors by 31 March 2005, based on an estimate of 99 installed machines at April 2004 and eleven new machines installed in-year. Respond to requests for Clinical Engineering support within 10 working days of receipt of a request. Issue all Medical Device/Equipment Alerts with an "Immediate Action" level of urgency designation initiated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) within three working days on receipt of final MHRA Alert (provided that no further consultation is involved). Issue all Medical Device/Equipment Alerts with an "Action" level of urgency designation initiated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) within five working days on receipt of final MHRA Alert (provided that no further consultation is involved).

Financial Management Ensure that the Agency lives within its running cost allocation for the year. Demonstrate that the full costs of the Agency are recouped, on a notional basis, through Service Level Agreements with its clients.