§ Mr. StringerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how he will define the electorate for a foundation hospital based on North Manchester General Hospital. [124039]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 7 July 2003]: The Pennine Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust, of which North Manchester General Hospital is part, has not applied for NHS foundation trust status, so no membership community has been defined.
Membership communities will vary across NHS foundation trusts. Subject to meeting the minimum legislative requirements set out in the Health and Social care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, a NHS foundation trust will have the flexibility to define its own membership community.