To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 April 2007, Official Report, column 1046W, on the Healthcare Commission’s report on NHS Treatment Centres: private sector, when the Healthcare Commission expects to publish its full report. (137739)

The Healthcare Commission expect to publish the final report of their review of the quality of care in Independent Sector Treatment Centres by the end of June 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the tender process for an Independent Sector Treatment Centre for South Essex; and if she will make a statement. (137737)

Proposals for an independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) in South Essex are part of phase 2 of the ISTC programme.

There is a robust process in place for the procurement of phase 2 ISTC services which is being conducted in compliance with European Union procurement law and in accordance with Office of Government Commerce best practice.

Bidders interested in the programme responded to an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union and were free to register an expression of interest, and complete a pre-qualifying questionnaire. Following this process, bidders were short-listed and issued with an invitation to negotiate. Bids were then returned for phase 2 schemes.

In order for bidders to progress in the procurement, they are required to meet specific criteria across a range of specifications including clinical services, finance, work force, information management and technology, and contract management.