HL Deb 18 January 1988 vol 492 cc5-6

2.47 p.m.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what training is offered to district health authority managers and members of district health authorities.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, training offered to district health authority managers ranges from events aimed at potential and newly appointed managers to specific aspects of management including information management and management budgeting. Various seminars and learning programmes are provided for members by their district health authorities, sometimes in conjunction with their regional health authorities. All health authority members are encouraged to avail themselves of these learning opportunities.

The Countess of Mar

My Lords, will the Minister agree that it is very important for anyone involved with health authorities—whether on a regional or district health authority basis, as an employee or as a member of the authority— to be thoroughly versed in everything concerned with health? Does he think that it is perhaps a failure in communication, both upwards and downwards, that is causing many of the problems in the management of the National Health Service, in particular the financial management?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I am not aware of that failure of communication in the National Health Service. Training is open to all members of the National Health Service if they wish to take advantage of it.

Lord Ennals

My-Lords, does the Minister accept that management training is of crucial importance to the National Health Service? Is he aware that twice in the past two weeks NHS managers have brought forward proposals of such crass stupidity that they have led hard-working and hard-pressed nurses to take industrial action, and these proposals have subsequently been withdrawn? is this not extremely damaging to morale within the health service?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I have to acknowledge that I am not aware of the two instances the noble Lord raises. Obviously if that is the case, it is regrettable. However, I cannot answer the question because I am not aware of the instances.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, presumably the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. John Major, must have known about them because he referred only a few days ago to some "uncomfortable" management questions. The two cases that led to industrial action were widely known throughout the country, not just within the health service. Could the Minister not look up the facts and agree that this has been very damaging to the health service?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I shall most readily look up the facts and acquaint myself of them precisely.