§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he will make to ensure that community health services are provided locally by all district authorities as part of their core services.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIt will be the responsibility of every district health authority to ensure that its population has access to a comprehensive range of services, including community health services. Many services such as community health services will need to be provided locally either for clinical reasons, because of the nature of the service or for the convenience of patients and their relatives. District health authorities will be expected to arrange a pattern of services which secures local access where this is needed and at the same time gives patients and their GPs the maximum possible choice. DHAs performance in obtaining the most appropriate pattern of services will be monitored through the review processes. The concept of "core services" is not relevant to this process in most circumstances. The term "core service" applies only to services which an NHS trust will, if necessary, be required to provide because local access is essential and there is no appropriate alternative provider available.