Written question asked by Martin Smyth (Ulster Unionist Party) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 18 March 2005. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Friday, 18 March 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the cost of operations carried out privately on behalf of the NHS in Northern Ireland was in each of the past four years, broken down by health board.

Answer: Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of operations carried out privately on behalf of the NHS in Northern Ireland was in each of the past four years, broken down by health board. [221519] Mr. Spellar: The cost of healthcare purchased by Health and Social Service Boards from independent sector hospitals in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland across all programmes of care for 2003-04 was: Expenditure on private healthcare purchased from independent sector hospitals in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland _________________________________________________________________________________________________. HSS board area Year ended March 2004 (£000) Northern 2,213 Southern 0 Eastern 120 Western 0 Total 2,333 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Further information is not available centrally.

Secondary information