§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many decisions to close hospitals without prior consultation with community health councils have been taken since May; and how many such decisions had been taken in each of the previous six years.
§ Dr. VaughanProcedures endorsed by successive Administrations ensure that no hospital is permanently closed without prior consultation with local community health councils. If, however, the matter is sufficiently urgent, or the effect of the closure upon a district's health services would not be substantial, a hospital may be temporarily closed without consultation. This is a matter for local health service management and no records of such temporary closures are maintained centrally.