HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 c931W
Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the(a) remit and (b) activities of strategic health authorities. [184152]

Mr. Hutton

Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are the local headquarters of the national health service.

The main functions of SHAs are: Creating a strategic framework to deliver the NHS Plan in their areas. Managing the performance of NHS organisations in their areas. Building capacity and supporting performance improvement across all local health agencies.