§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on the plans of the North-East Thames regional health authority for the future development of audiological rehabilitation services within its area following the pending departure of the current consultant physician from the royal national throat, nose and ear hospital.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe planning of audiological services within North-East Thames regional health authority is a matter for that authority and the relevant district health authorities. We have no information on how planning might or might not be affected by the departure of an individual consultant. The general position for the Royal national throat nose and ear hospital remains that Bloomsbury health authority, as part of its strategic planning of services, is considering the future role of the hospital in conjunction with the regional health authority in relation to the services the hospital provides Bloomsbury and the services it provides to a wider area, and its role as a postgraduate hospital. If there are any proposals for major change, they will be the subject of formal consultation in the usual way.