[holding answer 14 March 2008]: The Department has figures for the total purchase of healthcare from non-national health service bodies for the years 1997-98 to 2006-07, as shown in the following table. However, it should be noted that these figures relate to healthcare expenditure with all non-NHS bodies including the private sector.
Total (£) As a percentage of NHS expenditure 1997-98 1,108,182 3.20 1998-99 1,230,425 3.36 1999-2000 1,301,196 3.24 2000-01 1,549,172 3.53 2001-02 1,792,967 3.66 2002-03 2,239,331 4.14 2003-04 3,315,893 5.26 2004-05 3,666,024 5.26 2005-06 4,415,531 5.68 2006-07 4,984,156 6.16 Note: 2004-05 to 2006-07 exclude NHS Foundation Trusts. Source: Annual financial returns for primary care trusts, (strategic) health authorities and NHS trusts for 1997-98 to 2006-07.
The NHS commissions healthcare from a number of non-NHS bodies including private sector providers, local authorities, voluntary bodies, other statutory bodies and the independent sector.