§ 18. Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends meeting chairmen of health boards in Scotland to discuss opting out.
§ Mr. LangI have no present plans to meet the chairmen of health boards in Scotland, but my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State will next meet them on 10 July.
§ Mr. RossIs there not a slight contradiction in the proposals of the various unit managers for opting out their particular hospitals when they say that, by opting out, their hospitals will increase efficiency and provide a fair service and more operations? Is it not about time that the Secretary of State asked all the health board chairmen, whom he or his predecessor appointed, why the people of Scotland cannot expect greater efficiency and more equipment and operations under the present system, because there will be no change after opting out?
§ Mr. LangIt is not the chairmen of the health boards who are submitting the applications to opt out. The advantages of trust status for hospitals are more local management, more flexibility and the ability to deliver more and better patient services, and the evidence is accumulating throughout the United Kingdom that that is what happens.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerWhen my right hon. Friend meets the health board chairmen, will he draw their attention to the interest in Forfar in self-governing hospital status and will he give that a fair wind?
§ Mr. LangI understand the interest in self-governing status in Forfar. My hon.Friend knows well that the 256 matter has been considered before and not proceeded with, but any such expression of interest will be reconsidered as appropriate.