§ Mr. ForthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for the review of health care in London(a) the expected completion date and (b) the cost of conducting the review. [8262]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Independent Advisory Panel undertaking the London review have been asked to report by the end of October this year. The cost of the review will be low.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the advisory panel on health services in London is empowered to review and make recommendations on any future service changes in London currently planned to take place after the period of the review. [7879]
§ Mr. MilburnDecisions on all service changes in London after the completion of the review will take into account the recommendations of the panel.
§ Mr. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the advisory panel on health services in London is required to work in partnership with the NHS Executive to establish the financial implications of all the currently proposed service changes at(a) Guy's hospital, (b) St. Thomas's hospital, (c) King's College hospital and (d) Lewisham hospital, including in each case their impact on other services; [7880]
(2) if the advisory panel on health services in London is required to consider the coherence of all current plans, including for capital investment of (a) Lambeth, 639W Southwark and Lewisham health authority, (b) Guy's and St. Thomas' hospital NHS trust, (c) Optimum health services NHS trust, (d) King's Healthcare NHS trust, (e) Lewisham hospital NHS trust and (f) Lewisham and Guy's Mental health NHS trust; [7881]
(3) if the advisory panel on health services in London is (a) empowered and (b) required to review the provision of and planning for all health services within the area of the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority; [7883]
(4) if the advisory panel on health services in London is (a) empowered and (b) required to review the provision of and planning or all health services provided at and planned for the site of Guy's hospital; [7884]
(5) if the advisory panel on health services in London is (a) empowered and (b) required to review the provision of and planning for all health services provided by and planned for the Guy's and St. Thomas' hospital trust. [7885]
§ Mr. MilburnThe panel has been asked to ensure coherence in health authority and National Health Service trust plans, including proposals for capital investment, and to review health authority plans for 1998–99. The panel will consider plans for services by these health authorities and trusts within this context.
§ Mr. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the criteria by which the future of St. Bartholomew's hospital, Queen Mary's Roehampton and Harold Wood and Oldchurch hospitals were singled our for specific reference in the terms of reference of the advisory panel on health services in London. [7882]
§ Mr. MilburnIt is not too late to review these proposals and we want to be sure that the right decisions are taken in terms of meeting the needs of local people. Changes currently proposed in these three areas are of genuine concern to the public and to health professionals.