Skip to main content

Private Finance Initiative

Volume 450: debated on Thursday 26 October 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the review by her Department of the private finance initiative scheme for Peterborough hospitals to be concluded; and if she will make a statement. (97186)

The Department announced on the 26 January that all trusts with private finance initiative schemes with an expected capital value of greater than £75 million would need to reconfirm their plans. These reviews ensure that all schemes properly take account of the current reforms to the national health service (NHS) such as choice, a movement of services into primary and community settings, the new financial regime as well long-term affordability, assumptions on efficiency gains and income growth. On 18 August, it was announced that six schemes had passed the review. The scheme at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one where further work is needed in order to address outstanding affordability and capacity issues. An announcement about the scheme will be made shortly.