§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the procedure to be followed, and bodies responsible for any decision, for the closure of Newham general hospital(a) as a directly managed unit or (b) as a trust within the national health service.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere is a statutory requirement for district health authorities and family health services authorities to consult community health councils over any proposals to make substantial variations in the provision of local health services. Where a variation in service is the consequence of a decision taken by a national health service trust the responsibility for consultation remains with the DHA or FHSA. Ministers reserve to themselves the final decision where a closure is contested.
We are not aware of any closure proposal affecting Newham general hospital.