Written question asked by Lord Lansley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 April 2005. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 April 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 16th March, Official Report, column 278W, on NHS finances, if he will give examples of the exceptional circumstances which have previously permitted unplanned support to be given to NHS and primary care trusts.

Answer: Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2005, Official Report, column 278W, on NHS finances, if he will give examples of the exceptional circumstances which have previously permitted unplanned support to be given to NHS and primary care trusts. [224318] Mr. Hutton: The Department introduced restrictions in the use of unplanned financial support in the national health service from 2003-04. The policy is that unplanned financial support should only be used where the extent of financial problems is unmanageable and a failure to act would lead to an undue detrimental impact on the quality of patient care.

Secondary information