HL Deb 02 November 1995 vol 566 cc170-1WA
Lord Ironside

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they propose to establish the Secondary Care Agency for the Armed Forces and whom they have appointed to be chief executive.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)

The Secondary Care Agency is to be launched on 1 April 1996. Mr. R. G. Smith, formerly Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Health Authority, has been appointed chief executive designate.

Lord Ironside

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What secondary care facilities are available to servicemen and women, particularly those attached to 24 Air Mobile Brigade and their dependants now based at the Colchester Garrison.

Earl Howe

Service personnel will have full access to the facilities of the Secondary Care Agency, including the newly established Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit at Peterborough. The health care of dependants is the prime responsibility of the NHS, although they may receive treatment at Service medical facilities, subject to spare capacity being available.

Lord Ironside

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many beds will be maintained by the Secondary Care Agency in the UK for service personnel at the planned core hospital at Haslar, at the support hospitals elsewhere and at the three MoD hospital units.

Earl Howe

Healthcare services equivalent to some 750 beds are being planned for the Secondary Care Agency in the UK.