§ Lord Taylor of Blackburnasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for the appointments to the posts of chairman of each of the eight NHS regions once the terms of office of the incumbents come to an end. [HL3214]
§ Baroness HaymanThe terms of office of the chairmen of the eight National Health Service regions end on 1 November 1999. Professor Alasdair Breckenridge has already agreed to stand down to concentrate on his role as chairman of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines. Philip Hammersley, chairman of Trent Region, has indicated that he does not wish to be considered for reappointment.
Of the remaining chairmen, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health has reappointed the following for a further three-year term:
- Ian Mills: London Region
- Janet Trotter: South West Region
- Sir William Wells: South East Region
and the following have been reappointed for a four year term:
- Zahida Manzoor: Northern & Yorkshire Region
- Rosie Varley: Eastern Region
- Clive Wilkinson: West Midlands Region
The rigorous, open and transparent appointment procedures set down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments are followed for these posts, although they do not fall within the commissioner's remit
Advertisements will therefore be placed in the national press shortly to recruit new chairmen for the North West and Trent Regions.