§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he will take to ensure that community health councils are provided with reports prepared by area health authorities and district management teams relating to matters within the scrutiny and jurisdiction of community health councils.
§ Mr. MoyleThe regulations governing the functions of community health councils (SI 1973, No. 2217) lay a duty on area health authorities to provide councils with the information they reasonably need to carry out their duties, with the exception of confidential information about the diagnosis and treatment of individual patients, personnel matters relating to individual members of staff or other information which the area authority regards as confidential. If an area authority refuses to supply information asked for by a council an appeal may be made to the regional authority whose decision is final. These provisions apply to information held by the district management teams. My Department has asked area authorities and district management teams to respond promptly to requests for information from councils.