Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 29 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 July 2004. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 12 July 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what surplus capacity in each specialism there is in each NHS hospital, broken down by region.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surplus capacity in each specialism there is in each NHS hospital, broken down by region. [182042] Mr. Hutton: The capacity planning exercise currently in progress aims to identify growth in levels of activity and to define any gaps in the service capability to accommodate that growth. The exercise may identify where spare capacity exists and how that spare capacity might be used to deliver increased activity. It will also help to specify the requirements for a second round of independent sector procurement of diagnostic services and elective activity to be in place for 2006-08. These outputs are expected to be available in September 2004.

Secondary information