To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the potential percentage increase is in the capacity for elective procedures in each relevant area for each independent sector treatment centre that has reached invitation to negotiate stage or beyond. (79280)

Invitations to negotiate have been issued for 14 schemes which are proceeding on current indicative figures which are approximate and subject to commercial negotiation.

Total elective activity in England in 2004-05 was 5,577,523 finished consultant episodes. In total, the phase two procurement is expected to provide 250,000 elective procedures per annum, which would be an increase in capacity of approximately 5 per cent. This is in addition to the capacity from the first wave of independent sector treatment centres.