§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now publish a review of achievement of the strategic objectives specified by the Welsh Office in the circular "Local Strategies for Health", and associated publications on the strategic intent and direction for the NHS in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettOur approach to health strategy has been acknowledged by the World Health Organisation and others as putting Wales at the forefront of the drive for better health not only in the United Kingdom but in Europe.
District health authorities and family health services authorities are currently working with community health councils, local government and voluntary groups to prepare local strategies for health aimed at achieving our long-term goal of making Wales one of the healthiest nations in Europe. The first set of local strategies will be submitted to the Department for approval in December.
When the local strategies are available and we have drawn on them to develop a management strategy for Wales as a whole, we will be in a position to monitor progress against the ambitious targets set both locally and nationally.