05 August 2005
A parliamentary committee has been urged to hold an inquiry into a £160m Private Finance Initiative project for two Glasgow hospitals that was awarded to the 'preferred bidder' in the absence of any other tenders.
The call follows the decision of NHS Glasgow to award the contract for the replacement of Stobhill Hospital and the Victoria Infirmary to the Canmore Consortium. Canmore, the sole bidder, has appointed Balfour Beatty as the construction firm.
Critics believe the deal could breach European procurement rules.
Professor Allyson Pollock, of the public health policy unit at University College London, told Public Finance: 'We need to know under what basis the deal was approved.'
The health spokeswoman for the Scottish National Party, Shona Robison, has asked the convener of the Scottish Parliament's finance committee to investigate.
An NHS Glasgow spokesman said: 'We've been able to satisfy ourselves, the external auditors and the Scottish Executive that the consortium will deliver value for money.'
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