NHS: Local Health Strategy (Hansard, 12 November 1991)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper)
My Lords, our reforms have provided the NHS with new opportunities to tackle broader aspects of the nation's health. Directors of public health are central to this task. The health strategy will seek not simply to safeguard but actively to improve health and bring real and substantial benefits to the health of the nation.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply, which I am pleased to hear. However, that policy must be carried out all over the country and that is not being done. At least one authority, the London Borough of Ealing, has dismissed its chief health education officer and his two assistants. The Government's worthwhile and remarkable endeavour has been frustrated by the London Borough of Ealing's ruling council.

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, I am sorry to hear the news that the noble Lord conveys. The purport of the Question was not immediately discernible from the Question on the Order Paper. However, I shall look into the local aspects of the matter and write to the noble Lord.

§ Lord Desai
My Lords, will the noble Baroness comment on reports in today's newspapers that at least two London health authorities are extremely dissatisfied because they do not believe that even minimum standards are being met in London?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, the London question is being considered not only by the Tomlinson inquiry but also by the King's Fund inquiry. Members of your Lordships' House are represented on that inquiry. They will look into the special factors which affect the delivery of health care in London.

§ Lord Stoddart of Swindon
My Lords, did the noble Baroness see the article in yesterday's Evening Standard by Dr. Le Fanu, who alleges that old people are being discriminated against within the National Health Service? If she has not read that article, will she do so and comment upon it?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for raising that issue. Of course, I have seen that article. The Government have done a great deal to help older people with their health needs because we are aware of the increasing numbers and needs of that category of patient. The GP contract ensures that older people are offered a regular health check on a voluntary basis. Only today the Department of Health launched a guide to health and healthy living for older people with representation from certain Members of your Lordships' House.

§ Lord Carter
My Lords, the Minister referred to the central role of regional directors of public health. Is she aware that the role of safeguarding health would be easier to fulfil if the Government were to accept the policy of the European Commission and the Labour Party, which is supported by all 14 regional directors of public health in England, that there should be a ban on the advertising of tobacco?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, the Government's Green Paper The Health of the Nation is looking into that area, among many others, in targeting health needs. We believe that the district and regional authorities have new important strategic tasks to carry out as a result of our reforms. Because of the encouraging settlement announced in last week's Autumn Statement, the funds will be available to put behind the words.

§ Lord Carter
My Lords, will the noble Baroness answer my question? Why in Brussels yesterday did the Government block the EC directive on the banning of tobacco advertising?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, the noble Lord should be rather more sure of his facts. There was no question of blocking anything yesterday at the meeting of the 479 Council of Health Ministers because no decision could be taken constitutionally until the opinion of the European Parliament had been taken.

§ Lord Mellish
My Lords, there is another side to the London story which should be put. Is the noble Baroness aware—she cannot be expected to be aware —that two very elderly people were both taken into Lewisham hospital where they had hip replacement operations? They were kept in for about 14 days and both were discharged together. I believe that a brilliant job was done.

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, all too rarely do we hear the good news stories. I am grateful to the noble Lord.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)
My Lords, 24 minutes have elapsed and there is still another Question on the Order Paper. I believe that the convention is that we move on to the last Question at about this time.