§ Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of his plans to abolish area health authorities, he will take action to stop non-essential capital investment by such authorities, such as the proposed new administrative headquarters of the Nottingham authority.
§ Dr. VaughanWe shall be publishing our proposals to simplify the structure and management arrangements of the National Health Service in a consultative document later this year. No decisions have yet been reached.
I understand that Nottinghamshire AHA(T) has been occupying adapted premises in a former children's hospital since April 1979, when the lease of the accommodation which it had occupied expired. The AHA(T) is aware of my concern that expenditure on office accommodation should not divert resources from patient services, and I understand that it has no immediate plans for further rationalisation of office services.