§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what role is played by the chair of the Yorkshire and Northern health region in the strategic planning of health care within the area covered by Wakefield health authority. [16350]
§ Mr. SackvilleDistrict health authorities are directly accountable to regional health authorities. The regional health authority provides the strategic framework for regulating the relationship between purchasers and providers and ensures that local services are developed within the context of national guidelines. The authority418W also seeks to ensure that the most comprehensive and cost-effective balance of primary and secondary services is secured at a local level.