PART ONE The PFI deal as originally contracted has been delivered so far

1.1  In this pathfinder project the Trust's PFI hospital was delivered on time and for the contracted price. The subsequent service provision by THC Dartford has been delivered with only occasional service lapses. A low level of payment deductions has mainly reflected the largely satisfactory service delivery. But while the Trust believes that performance scores awarded were appropriate, in our view, lower scores could justifiably have been given for some of the lapses that occurred. Deductions which were made were in line with the contract but lower scores would have resulted in greater deductions. In terms of the hospital's overall performance the Trust initially scored poorly in the star rating system after the new hospital opened for reasons unconnected with the PFI contract. The Trust subsequently achieved and maintained three stars – the highest rating.