§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether all National Health Service areas now have area health authority boards in operation; what is the average number of members of these boards and the ratio of professional medical to lay people on them; what are the general methods of selection used to determine members; what body had the actual power of appointment; and whether members of the boards receive any compensation.
§ Mrs. CastleEach of the 90 National Health Service areas in England has an area health authority with a membership specified in the National Health Service (Constitution of Area Health Authorities) Order 1975 (S.I. 1975, No. 1099).
The average membership is just over 20.
There are at least two, usually more than two, professional medical members. Chairmen are appointed by the Secretary 786W of State; at least one-third of the membership is drawn from local government —a specified number appointed by the non-metropolitan county and metropolitan district or London borough councils coterminous with the area health authority, and others, where appropriate, by the regional health authority on the nomination of non-metropolitan district councils affected; the remaining members are appointed by the regional health authority on the nomination of specified universities or after consultation with the main health professions and other organisations concerned. Two of these members to be drawn from those working in the National Health Service other than doctors and nurses, have yet to be appointed. Members are entitled to travelling and other allowances, but, with the exception of the chairmen, receive no remuneration.