Chamber and committees

The precise remit, membership and objectives of Clinical Networks is a matter for determination by local clinicians. Managed Clinical Networks offer the prospect of delivering high quality services with more uniform access for patients regardless of where in Scotland they happen to live. They also have particular value in encouraging the delivery of services across traditional boundaries between hospital and community care.

The Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust assumed its full operational responsibilities on 1 April 1999. The following Trust Board meetings in public session have been held:

Date	Venue
29 April 1999	Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
30 June 1999	Perth Royal Infirmary
30 September 1999	Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
28 October 1999	Stracathro Hospital, Brechin
24 November 1999	Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
15 December 1999	Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

The Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust indicates it has no plans at present to introduce car parking fees at Stracathro Hospital.

The Loans Company does not maintain statistics on the average time taken to deal with applications. However, Ministers set targets for the Company in relation to the time within which loans should be paid. These are measured by academic year.

Statistics on the Company's performance for the first term of the 1999-2000 academic year are currently being collated and will be reported to Ministers after the end of the first term, once audited.Early indications suggest however that 99% of Loan applications under the mortgage-style scheme so far have been paid within the Company's 21 day target. Whilst it is too early to give an equivalent figure for the new Student Support Scheme, available figures indicate that well over 90% of correctly completed applications have been paid within the Company's 17 day target for that scheme.

Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust reported a year to date deficit of £4.9million as at end September 1999. The Trust report the reasons as including the impact of revaluation of their estate on their capital charges; the need to ensure full preparation for the Year 2000 date change; and a range of other cost pressures. The Trust and Tayside Health Board are working jointly on measures to remedy the position.

In the current financial year, the Scottish Executive has committed over £388 million to Tayside - 4.25% more than last year, and we look to the Trust and Health Board to ensure that a financial balance is achieved over the year as a whole.My officials will continue to monitor the position.

There is no definition of a high technology or low technology bed. Data that would specifically identify the cost of providing a high technology or low technology bed is not collected centrally. Cost data is collected by specialty or specialty group. However, an indication of bed running costs can be obtained if it is assumed that beds within the "specialty" Intensive Care Unit (ICU) equate to high technology and that all other specialties combined equate to low technology. The other specialties can be further disaggregated to show the costs of long stay beds.The cost per occupied bed day, inpatients only, in 1998-99 was as follows:

	£
Intensive Care Unit	1120
Other Acute(1)	250
Long Stay(2)	119

1. Includes all specialties/specialty groups other than ICU and the "Long Stay" specialties2. Geriatric Long Stay, Young Chronic Sick, General Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry, Adolescent Psychiatry and learning Disabilities

The Scottish Executive Health Department, is aware that there may be some recruitment issues concerning Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers (MLSOs) and has established a Working Group to examine the position in depth as it affects all the laboratory disciplines across Scotland. The Working Group is chaired by Mr T H Cavanagh, Laboratory Manager, Haematology Department, Western Infirmary, Glasgow and includes representatives from professional organisations and trade unions who have a specific interest in this issue. The Group will prepare a report on its findings which will be presented to the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee next year.

I would refer Mr Welsh to my answer to his question numbers S1W-1842 and S1W-1844 which detail the extent of planned capital investment across a number of specified sites in Angus in the current financial year. In addition to these planned investments, a further three sites will benefit from capital investment, as well as a range of minor schemes that will benefit sites across Angus. The table summarises current capital investment plans:-

	1999/00 Forecast £000
Arbroath Infirmary	703
Brechin Infirmary	11
Carnoustie Health Centre	8
Forfar Infirmary	20
Little Cairney	112
Montrose	37
Sunnyside	70
Stracathro	85
Angus Wide Minor Schemes	117
Total	1,163

Whilst each of the former Tayside Trusts achieved financial balance in 1998-99, this required the utilisation of non-recurring funds to support their year end position. Non-recurring funds were received from Tayside Health Board and from proceeds from the sale of surplus assets. By their very nature, non-recurring funds are not available in the current year, although the corresponding expenditure can be ongoing, leaving the University Trust exposed to a potential gap.The impact on Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust of the loss of non-recurring funds is attributable to the former Trusts as follows:- Dundee Teaching £1,944,000 Perth & Kinross £488,000 Angus £470,000 Total £2,902,000

In addition to these pressures, a shortfall in cash releasing savings during 1998-99 has contributed a further £2 million to current projected difficulties. These amounts cannot be attributed to specific Trusts but rather they reflect issues with services across Tayside.

The Trust and Tayside Health Board are working jointly on measures to remedy the position. In the current financial year, the Scottish Executive has committed over £388 million to Tayside, 4.25% more than last year. I look to the Trust and Health Board to ensure that a financial balance is achieved over the year as a whole, and that service developments as identified in the Tayside Health Improvement Plan are delivered.We will continue to monitor the situation.

Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust, with the support of Tayside Health Board, has proposed the disposal of the following Trust assets which are no longer required to support the delivery of modern healthcare services. These disposals will result in a technical profit or a loss as proceeds received from their sale differ from the value of the asset within the Trust's ledgers.Profit / (Loss) on Planned Disposals

	1999/00 £000	2000/01 £000	2001/02 £000
Ninewells Residences	(177)	-	-
Medipark	(267)	-	(465)
Ninewells Land	2360	-	-
Dundee Limb Fitting Centre	160	-	-
Fairies Road, Perth	495	-	-
Kings Cross	-	-	59
Total	2571	-	(406)

Following presentation of the Trust Implementation Plan, these amounts have been amended to reflect the outcome of the National Revaluation exercise. No disposals have been planned for 2000-01.