To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the future financial position of independent sector treatment centres. (262977)

No research has been commissioned to date on the future financial position of independent sector treatment centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the (a) renegotiation and (b) renewal of independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) contracts issued in the (i) first and (ii) second wave of the ISTC programme; and what involvement he expects (A) primary care trusts, (B) strategic health authorities and (C) other bodies to have in discussions on such contracts. (262978)

Plans for the management of contract expiry including independent sector treatment centre wave 1 contracts are being developed. Consideration of Phase 2 has not begun, as the contracts will expire between 2011 and 2017. Decisions will be taken based on local service need and value for money. All of this will be considered as part of the process.

Primary care trusts as commissioners and strategic health authorities will have an important role in taking this work forward. No other bodies are currently involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost liabilities expected to arise from the independent sector treatment programme in the next five years. (262981)

The total cost liability associated with the treatment of national health service patients arising from the independent sector treatment programme (ISTC) over the next five years is estimated to be £1,412 million. (This is the expected payment to ISTC Wave 1 and Phase 2 providers based on the contracted value of activity for the next five years from 1 April 2009).

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to bring into the NHS independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) facilities contracted in the (a) first and (b) second wave of the ISTC programme. (262982)

There are no plans to bring national health service independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) facilities into the NHS at this stage. The ISTC providers are part of NHS capacity.