HC Deb 06 May 1976 vol 910 cc437-8W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will change the timetable for the cycle of planning and approval of health centre projects so as to enable medical staff to be involved in the planning at an earlier stage than at present.

Mr. Ennals

Planning of individual health centre projects is a matter for the area health authority concerned within guidelines from the regional health authority and the Department. These require the establishment at the earliest stage of a project team including at least one member representative of the family doctors intending to practise from the centre. Health authorities have also been advised to give early notice to, amongst others, the Family Practitioner Committee and the local medical committee of the intention to build a health centre. In this way, there is medical involvement from the outset.