HC Deb 22 June 1988 vol 135 cc570-1W
Mr. Favell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide a functional breakdown, showing numbers in post and grades, of staff of his Department in London dealing with National Health Service management and policy, and showing the formal means of communication with regional and district health authorities.

Mr. Newton

[holding answer 25 May 1988]: The functional breakdown requested, showing numbers and grades of staff, is given in the table.

The Department communicates formally with regional and district health authorities by means of health circulars and health notices. NHS Management Board members regularly meet NHS regional general managers and their teams; and staff in the Department and health authorities communicate on a regular basis within their own spheres of responsibility.

Staff in post by grade at 1 April 1988
Function Grades 1/1A 2 3 4 5 6 7 Executive Clerical and support Total
Chief Executive and Personnel Director NHS Management Board 1 — — — — — 2 2 2 7
NHS Operations
(Liaison with Health Authorities on policy, accountability and programmes. Purchasing and supply. NHS buildings. Estate and property management — 1 3 1 16 21 80 191 69 382
Property Adviser to NHS Management Board (ungraded) — — — — — — — — — 1
NHS Personnel — 1 1 1 5 1 22 56 30 117
NHS Planning and Information Technology — 1 — — 3 1 9 35 14 63
NHS Finance
(Health Authority financial management and control. Management consultancy services for the NHS) — 1 2 — 3 1 12 49 23 91
Second Permanent Secretary 1 — — — — — — 2 1 4
Health and Personal Social Services Policy1 — 1 5 — 17 4 50 141 79 297
Family Practitioner Services — 1 2 — 7 4 32 77 49 172
Medical Groups2 1 3 7 8 48 1 9 19 58 154
1 Policy relating to: health issues; primary care; community services; hospital services; mental, maternity and child health; child care.
1 Advice on health issues relating to: prevention and health promotion; children, disablement, and nutrition; primary care; mental health and illness; hospital policies and services; management, planning and community medicine; medical manpower; scientific services, equipment building and supplies; cancer; maternity and the elderly.

Note:

Figures include: 1. Professional staff (shown under equivalent grading level).

2. Staff seconded to the Department.

3. Staff with significant duties concerned with NHS management and policy though many have other Departmental responsibilities.