§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (I) whether, under the health review, Calderdale district health authority will have to provide an accident and emergency operational facility in Calderdale;
(2) whether Calderdale district health authority will be able to direct its accident and emergency patients to Bradford and pay the Bradford authority for their treatment.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 13 February 1989] : It will continue to be the responsibility of Calderdale district health authority to decide how best to meet the need for a locally available accident and emergency service for people resident within the district. The White Paper proposals do not alter this responsibility.
§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1), pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Halifax, 7 February,Official Report, column 799, if district health authorities and the self-governing hospitals will have to provide an operational base for accident and emergency within their locality;
(2) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Halifax, 7 February, Official Report, column 799, whether district health authorities will be able to pay a neighbouring authority to treat patients in the operational accident and emergency facilities of the neighbouring authority.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 13 February 1989] : District health authorities will be required to ensure that accident and emergency services, which are core services, are available locally. They may, if they choose, arrange for these services to be provided in their own authority area or in a neighbouring authority area depending on what is more convenient for patients. Self-governing hospitals which provide accident and emergency services will continue to provide them unless the district agrees to their relocation.