§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the Blackwater Valley and Hart Primary Care Trust. [177259]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority (SHA) has responsibility for strategic planning of local health 1269W services. The SHA is working in partnership with local NHS organisations to consider how best the local NHS can focus the effort and increase the effectiveness of its leaders. As part of this work, it has been proposed at a local level that single integrated senior management teams will be established across clusters or pairs of primary care trusts (PCTs), allied to the on-going development of lead commissioning arrangements. I understand that this work will not affect the statutory duties of Blackwater Valley and Hart PCT and that the PCT will retain its focus on improving the health and well being of people within the local area.