§ Lord Freemanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the two community health councils for Northamptonshire now have to be line managed and employed by the West Sussex and Surrey Health Authority. [HL2943]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathIn order to maintain a level of continuity for community health councils (CHCs) affected by the changes in National Health Service region boundaries, it was agreed nationally that they would remain, for pay and other personnel matters, within their current groups. In the case of the Northamptonshire CHCs, from 1 April this will be the South Region.
Personnel and paymaster services would continue to be provided by the health authority incorporating the current service level agreement provider. On 1 April that responsibility moves to the new Surrey and Sussex Health Authority for all CHCs included in the South Region.
In recognition of the fact that, from April, Northamptonshire CHCs will cover activities within the Midlands Region, both CHCs will be establishing links within the new Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Health Authority area in respect of their role in monitoring the NHS.