Mrs. McCurleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made in discussions with health boards about the possibility of abolishing districts and making improvements in management arrangements.
Mr. YoungerMy hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for health and social work in Scotland, met health board chairmen on 8 November to discuss the range of proposals for giving effect to the consultative document, "The Structure and Management of the National Health Service in Scotland". Following that discussion I shall, with the concurrence of the chairman, be issuing instructions to boards to abolish the district level of management and introduce arrangements to help bring decision-making closer to the point of delivery of services to patients. Adopting a common form of organisation will also provide a firm basis for consideration of the recommendations of the NHS management inquiry, on which I shall be consulting health boards and other interested parties.