§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health whether he will amend the National Health Service Act, 1946, Part II (a), so as to ensure the inclusion in hospital management committees of persons appointed after consultation with local health authorities; and whether he still requires regional hospital boards, before making appointments to fill vacancies, to consult hospital management committees.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe National Health Service Act, 1946 already provides that the members of a hospital management committee shall include persons appointed after consultation with local health authorities, and also that before making appointments to fill vacancies, the regional board shall consult the hospital management committee.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to regional hospital boards about the organisations which they should consult before appointing hospital management committees; and whether these organisations include the Women's Voluntary Service, trades councils and trades unions.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithRegional hospital boards have complete discretion in deciding what organisations they will consult, in addition to those which they are statutorily required to consult, before making appointments to hospital management committees. The advice that has been given to them is that they should aim at a balanced membership including the 25W appropriate types of experience and reflecting the interests of the community to be served, and Trades Councils and Women's Institutes were given as two examples of organisations likely to suggest members who could speak for these interests.