HC Deb 08 May 1967 vol 746 cc1046-7
12. Mr. Conlan

asked the Minister of Health what representations have been made about the appointments to the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board and to the hospital management committees in this region; and to what extent these representations relate to the chairmanship of the Gateshead and District Hospital Management Committee.

14. Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Health what further representations he has received, in addition to those made by the hon. Member for Gateshead, West, concerning the appointment of the chairman of the Gateshead and District Hospital Management Committee; whether such representation involved the selection of members of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board and its district hospital management committees; and what reply he has given.

Mr. K. Robinson

I have received no complaint about appointments to the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board. I have received 12 about appointments to hospital management committees in the region, four of which referred to the chairmanship of the Gateshead Hospital Management Committee. Responsibility for the latter appointments rests with regional hospital boards, and that is the reply I have given.

Mr. Conlan

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that to remove a highly respected and capable man from the chairmanship of the Gateshead and District Hospital Management Committee is causing grave disquiet in my constituency? Furthermore, is my right hon. Friend aware that appointments to hospital management committees in this area are not fully representative of the wide range of population there?

Mr. Robinson

In answer to both parts of my hon. Friend's supplementary question I must say that I have no power to intervene in the appointments of hospital management committees, so that I cannot usefully discuss any discretionary action taken by regional hospital boards within their statutory responsibilities.

Mr. Randall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the question which my hon. Friend and I have raised give my right hon. Friend notice of rising disquiet and deep concern regarding the appointment both of regional boards and hospital management committees? Will he do more than take note of this situation; will he take action to ensure that there is more consultation than has apparently taken place so far?

Mr. Robinson

Of course, I take note of what my hon. Friends have said. In order that the membership of the management committees should be broadly representative of the communities they serve, regional hospital boards consult many local interests, but inevitably the number of nominations is always far in excess of the number of vacancies.