§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the relationship is between the professional and executive groups of a primary care trust and consultants in hospital trusts; and what guidance has he given to ensure regular meetings between hospital consultants and the primary care trust. [62313]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 25 June 2002]: The Department has not issued any guidance on this subject and has no plans to do so. Devolving power within the national health service recognises that frontline clinicians are best placed to make decisions on how to run the local health service and gives the freedom for them to decide how they will develop relationships in running the health service locally. However, 'Shifting the Balance of Power: The Next Steps' (January 2002) makes it clear that primary care trusts (PCTs) need to develop close working relationships with partners in NHS trusts. The relationship that PCTs develop with their colleagues in NHS trusts, including consultants, will be central to PCTs effectively discharging their functions for example planning and commissioning services for their local populations. PCTs will need to ensure that they engage in effective dialogue with clinicians working within NHS Trusts if they are to secure the best possible services to meet the needs of the local population. It is, however, a matter for PCTs and hospitals to decide the detail of how they do this.