HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 cc633-4W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances he will alter the name of a strategic health authority created under the NHS Reform Bill. [22328]

Mr. Hutton

Among the circumstances in which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State might consider exercising his powers to change the name of a strategic health authority created under the National Health Service Reform Bill arewhere the boundary of the strategic health authority changes substantially due to reconfiguration or merger; where the name of a coterminous local authority changes; and at the request of key local stakeholders.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what increase in volunteer input he expects to occur as a result of the NHS Reform Bill; what form it will take; and what(a) financial value and (b) financial savings he expects. [22366]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 11 December 2001]Subject to parliamentary approval, the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Profession Bill will enable us to set up a patients forum in every national health service trust and primary care trust as independent statutory bodies. It is expected that the members of the forums will be volunteers drawn from patients, carers, and from local voluntary organisations. As members of the patients forums, they will represent the views of local communities to trusts about the quality and configuration of health services; monitor the delivery of services from the patients perspective; and inspect every aspect of NHS care from the perspective of the patients experience of the service.

Voluntary participation in the patients forum is not intended as a means of producing financial savings. The main benefit to the NHS is that local people will be able to make a difference to the services provided and ensure that local services are more responsive to the needs of patients. The volunteers will benefit from knowing that they are making an important and worthwhile contribution to the service; they will also have the opportunity to acquire new skills which may benefit them in their employment or other aspects of their lives.