National Health Service (Expenditure)

HC Deb 01 July 1976 vol 914 cc276-7W

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for economies in the administration of the NHS.

Mr. Ennals

Health authorities have been asked to review the costs of managing the health service as part of a total examination of expenditure. Guidelines for the conduct of this review have been issued to health authorities, which include a standstill in management costs for this financial year and the preparation of plans for restraint in subsequent years. Any economies that can be made will be based not on arbitrary reductions but on the careful appraisal by the NHS of management costs and full consultation with staff concerned.