HL Deb 25 May 1999 vol 601 cc776-7

3 p.m.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many NHS health authorities or trusts have invited former non-executive directors who were not re-appointed by the Department of Health to return on another basis and what costs were incurred as a result.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)

My Lords, information on whether National Health Service trusts or health authorities have invited former board members to serve in a different capacity is not collected by the Department of Health. Those who have served the NHS on boards may well have skills and experience that remain valuable to the service, and it may be appropriate in specific circumstances for them to be invited to serve as a committee member or to provide short-term advice or services in a consultancy capacity.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. It does not surprise me that the department is not aware of this. To my certain knowledge there are people in the London region who are being paid the same amount as non-executive directors and who have been invited back because there was no one with suitable capabilities to be on the audit committee or manage things that required more business skills.

While I admit that there is an improvement in the type of non-executive director being appointed—the department is coming to terms with the situation—does the Minister accept that there is still quite a mis-match? Many local councillors who have been appointed find their time under pressure. At present one member of an area health authority is required to sit on each primary care group. A number of areas have eight primary care groups yet there are only five non-executive directors. Those five, therefore, are badly stretched in terms of time. Will the Minister consider whether or not there is a need to look at some way of either enlarging the number of non-executives or allowing additional payment? Everyone on the primary care group board receives payment except the area health authority members.

Baroness Hayman

My Lords, the noble Baroness raises a number of areas of concern. When I said that the information was not centrally collected, I did not mean that the department was not aware that in some cases the skills of individuals who have left board membership are utilised in specific areas. The reason is that they have skills that they can bring to the NHS organisation. As the noble Baroness rightly pointed out, considerable demands are made on non-executive members and the formation of primary care groups has been one of those demands.

We believe that the demands are not excessive and that we have taken the right direction in terms of broadening the range of people who serve on NHS boards. The noble Baroness referred to councillors. Eight per cent. of board members are made up from councillors, but there is a greater preponderance of membership from the local community. That is something we set out to do and are pleased to have achieved.