Shared Clinical Services

HC Deb 23 April 2001 vol 367 c173W

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if shared clinical services can continue between two NHS trusts; [157455]

(2) if he will take steps to ensure the NHS trusts with separate identities but integrated services remain as separate trusts. [157456]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: The overarching requirement in providing services is to ensure that they are configured to meet the needs of the local population. The Chorley and South Ribble National Health Service Trust and Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust have an excellent record of providing a range of acute services to their locality. However, it is recognised that there is a need for more specialised services to be provided to a larger population through managed clinical networks. Organisational arrangements must reflect the most effective way of providing access to the full range of acute services. Sharing and integrating the services of the two trusts should be encouraged and built upon.