To ask the Secretary of State for Health which firms have been contracted to work on the (a) internal communication and (b) external communication with the public aspects of the NHS Next Stage Review; and what the value is of these contracts. (228043)

The Department has purchased the services of a range of companies in connection with public-facing communications on the national health service next stage review. The project team itself has procured services from 20 companies. These organisations have assisted the project team in a range of areas including the following:

Design and facilitation of review events; and

Communications including production of materials, including the interim and final report, and website management.

The total amount paid to these companies is approximately £3.3 million.