Only ten large projects have been let over the last 10 years. We now have 25 such schemes in procurement. The guidelines are designed to cut cost of bidding for PFI projects and to speed the flow of deals by setting out a clear framework for best practice. This means concentrating on what it wants and not how the service is to be delivered. The central NHS Executive fully understands these points and is working hard to ensure they are put into practice.
Trusts can learn from the best schemes.
The NHS Executive's Private Finance Unit has been recently expanded and now has around a dozen people, who provide hands-on advice and guidance to project teams. Finally, let me leave you with two thoughts. First, it is vital that best use is made of consultants and advisers on government-sponsored projects. PFI will come in for fair criticism if procurement costs, including the costs of advisers, are inflated. We must all do what we can to get value for money in procurement.