To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2009, Official Report, column 235W, on maternity services: finance, what arrangements his Department has put in place to ensure that funds allocated to primary care trusts under payment by results for the delivery of maternity care are spent on the provision of maternity care. (260605)

The payment by results system does not inform the allocation of funds to primary care trusts (PCTs). Payment by results is the mechanism through which providers are paid by PCTs for a range of services, including maternity that fall within the scope of the national mandatory tariff.

It is for the national health service trusts to deploy this funding in line with national and local priorities and local plans. Maternity services are identified as a priority in the 2009-10 NHS Operating Framework.

All strategic health authorities (SHAs) have already set out plans to improve maternity services as part of the NHS Next Stage Review. PCTs are working with trusts to deliver these plans and SHAs will be holding PCTs to account for delivering their plans.