HC Deb 05 November 1996 vol 284 cc1021-2
4. Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he takes to monitor local public consultation processes on health issues. [612]

Mr. Horam

The Secretary of State reviews all trust mergers and all substantial variations in service provision that are contested. In doing so, he takes account not only of the responses, but of the adequacy of the consultation exercise.

Mr. Hinchliffe

What steps does the Secretary of State take to ensure that commitments given in public consultation exercises on closures or changes of use are followed through? For example, in Wakefield, when the county hospital was closed, we had a clear commitment that it would be replaced by a purpose-built geriatric unit. When Manygates maternity hospital was closed, we had a clear commitment that we would be given a purpose-built maternity unit. When the neurosurgery from Pinderfielcls general hospital was transferred to Leeds, we had a clear commitment that we would have a rehabilitation centre at the hospital. None of those commitments has been fulfilled. What is the Secretary of State doing about that?

While I am on my feet, let me ask the Minister to explain the shambles that has occurred in the public consultation process on the proposed merger of the two Wakefield trusts. The consultation process was stopped half way through and passed over to the health authority because the Government had wrongly advised local people on the way to handle the issue.

Mr. Horam

The hon. Gentleman is wrong. We have nearly doubled the length of time for consultation in Wakefield—and that consultation involves the merger of the two trusts. I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman is cavilling at that, as he opined some time ago that there were too many trusts in the Wakefield health authority. Perhaps we can discuss those issues at greater length during Thursday evening's Adjournment debate.

Mr. Dunn

I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for taking the trouble to visit my constituency yesterday to see for himself the site of the proposed district general hospital at Darenth park. Will he take it from me that, whatever the consultation that took place in north-west Kent, all the communities in Dartford, Gravesham and north Sevenoaks are united in their determination to support the Government's private finance initiative, which will lead to the new district hospital at Darenth park?

Mr. Horam

I take my hon. Friend's point. Darenth park is a heartening example of the progress being made through the private finance initiative. I should re-emphasise that that is the way to obtain new hospitals without having to wait in the queue for public expenditure. The initiative has been successful in Darenth park, and I am sure that the consultation process there will be successful.

Mr. Pearson

Is the Minister aware that many district health authorities are leaving it to an advanced stage of the NHS trusts' capital investment planning process before going out to public consultation, even though the capital investment plans may involve a major strategic change such as the closure of hospitals? Does he consider that to be acceptable? Will he consider reviewing the NHS management executive guidelines on consultation' involving the consumer to make it explicit that consultation, if it is to be genuine, must occur as early as possible and well before hundreds of thousands of pounds are wasted on management consultancy fees?

Mr. Horam

I take the hon. Gentleman's point. It is sensible to have something concrete to consult about. When plans are embryonic, consultation can occur too early and, as the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) said, it can go wrong. It is important to consult in the right way and at the right time.