HC Deb 10 November 1977 vol 938 cc202-3W
Mr. Loyden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the report on the Liverpool Health Authority to be presented to him and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle:

The decision of the Mersey Regional Health Authority to set up an independent inquiry into certain aspects of Liverpool's health services followed the discussions to which I referred in my Answer to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) on 26th July. The Committee of Inquiry met first on 2nd October and up to this week had held five meetings in all. The membership is as follows:

CHAIRMAN

Professor Roger Dyson, PhD, Director of Adult Education, University of Keele.

MEMBERS

Nominated by the Mersey Regional Health Authority

Mr. Ivor Baggs, CChem, BSc, MRIC, FIPM, FIISO, lately Personnel Director, Tioxidc Ltd.

Mr. John Bettinson, LLB, Chairman, Birmingham Area Health Authority (Teaching).

Sir Charles Stuart-Harris, CBE, MD, DSc, FRCP, lately Associate Postgraduate Dean, University of Sheffield Medical School.

Nominated by the Staff Side of the Liverpool Standing Area Joint Conference

Mr. Robert Fryer, MA, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick.

Mr. Tony Smythe, Director, MIND.

Mr. Lawrence Toale, BSc Econ, MIPM, Senior Lecturer in Industrial Relations, Carlett Park College of Technology.

The Committee's terms of reference are:

To invite evidence from all organisations recognised by the DHSS, the MRHA, Liverpool AHA(T), local authorities and CHCs, and:

1. To examine the present deployment of health resources in the area served by the Liverpool AHA(T) and to consider what changes are desirable in the interests of the population served, with due regard for

  1. (i) the Secretary of State's criteria of equity, effectiveness, efficiency and economy; and
  2. (ii) the current allocation of resources.

2. To consider the financial and staffing requirements of the new Royal Liverpool Teaching Hospital and their impact on the current resource allocation of the Liverpool AHA(T), the effect of the opening of the hospital on health care within the area, and the arrangements necessary to ensure that it is brought into use as soon as practicable.

To consider the present state of industrial relations in the area and districts and submit recommendations for their improvement.

To consider existing management arrangements (including overall direction by the authority) for the provision of health care since the reorganisation of the NHS in 1974, and to submit recommendations for their improvement, but excluding consideration of the proposal to establish a single district area, currently being considered by the Secretary of State.

To submit a report of the findings and recommendations for consideration by the Regional Health Authority, as soon as possible, and not later than 15th December 1977. The Committee has received written submissions from organisations and individuals and is now taking oral evidence. Its report, which will be made public, is due to be considered by the Regional Health Authority at its meeting in January. The authority has been asked to submit a report to my right hon. Friend on the action it proposes to take in the light of the committee's findings.

I would like to express my gratitude to the committee's members, which I know is shared by the Regional Health Authority, for their readiness to undertake this difficult and important task.—[Vol. 936, c. 113–14].