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New Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Question Time — Scottish Executive
2:30 pm
Margo MacDonald (Independent)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet any costs incurred by Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust's reappraisal of the managed equipment services public-private partnership for the new Edinburgh royal infirmary. (S1O-4729)
Hugh Henry (Labour)
No. The trust is resourced for management costs and the appraisal of procurement options is a normal activity that falls within those costs.
Margo MacDonald (Independent)
I thank the minister for that reply, but I inform him that the reappraisal was brought about because of the Executive's decision to reconfigure the hospital trusts. The expenditure anticipated by the original trust, which negotiated the new equipment, has been thrown out of kilter because of the Executive's decision. I think that the Executive has a moral duty and I hope that the minister agrees.
Hugh Henry (Labour)
No. The hospital trust and Siemens were unable to reach an agreement that would provide the trust with the best value for money. The decision to pursue a review requires the approval of the trust's management board. That was given when the board met on 8 February. It is a local decision, which was taken in the best interests of the health service. I think that the Executive has acted properly at all stages.