Health Education Authority (Hansard, 13 July 1993)

§ Dr. Mawhinney

The White Paper "The Health of the Nation"—Cm 1986—makes clear the important part to be played by the Health Education Authority (HEA) in achieving the targets for improvements in people's health set in that health strategy. It also emphasises that, complementing the HEA's national role, health authorities throughout England have a key responsibility for health promotion among their local populations. Last December, we approved the HEA's strategy for 1993 to 1998 to carry forward its role in "The Health of the Nation", which includes closer co-ordination with health authorities and other local agencies.

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To help achieve these aims, and to ensure the continued effectiveness of the HEA, we have decided—with the agreement of its chairman, Sir Donald Maitland—to carry out a review with the following terms of reference: To consider the future role, responsibilities and functioning of the Health Education Authority, taking account of developments since it was established in 1987, notably:

the new structure of the NHS;
the 1992 White Paper "The Health of the Nation" and its programme for a long term health strategy;
the development of Government policy on market testing and contracting out;
the need for cost-effectiveness;

and to report to the Secretary of State for Health.

The review team will be led by Mr. John Lee—chairman, The Christie NHS Trust, Manchester and formerly a Minister in the Department of Employment.

The other members will be:

Mrs. Terry Banks—former director of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys;
Mr. Tonic Gibson—former newspaper editor and chairman of the Peterborough district health authority 1982 to 1992;
Dr. Bob Haward—regional director of public health, Yorkshire regional health authority.

We expect the review to be completed in November.