District Health Authorities (Hansard, 13 April 1981)

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines on the allocation of those functions, at present carried on by area health authorities, the regional health authorities and district health authorities are being issued by his Department; and what functions he recommends be transferred when area authorities cease to exist to the regional authorities and what functions to the district authorities.
57W

§ Dr. Vaughan
As the policy circular issued last July—HC (80)8—made clear, district health authorities will, in general, undertake all the functions now delegated to area health authorities. The circular does, however, leave open the possibility of some highly specialised functions, where remoteness from hospital and community services level is less important, being transferred to regional level. We shall in due course be reviewing the functions now carried out by regional health authorities. with a view to enhancing local autonomy.

§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration his Department is giving to the size and number of district health authorities which will replace the area health authorities; what criteria have been established for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.

§ Dr. Vaughan
The criteria for the establishment of district health authorities are set out in paragraphs 3 to 5 of the policy circular issued last July—HC(80)8. I am

Deaths from all causes and death rates per thousand population for certain age-groups in England and Wales for certain periods.

Age

under 1 year 1–4† 60–64 65–69 70–74 75–79 80–84 85.89 90 +over

1 April 1978 to 30 September 1978

Deaths 3,826 622 21,169 33,279 42,497 45,397 38,752 27,236 16,077

Rate per thousand 12.6^* 0.5 16.6 26.4 41.3 64.3 99.4 154.7 237.1

1 October 1978 to 31 March 1979

Deaths 4,221 699 23,725 37,657 49,796 54,859 47,873 34,529 21,324

Rate per thousand 13.8^* 0.6 19.2 30.0 48.3 77.0 120.9 194.6 368.9

1 April 1979 to 30 September 1979

Deaths 3,832 516 20,292 32,366 42,627 46,214 39,502 27,666 16,829

Rate per thousand 12.0^* 0.4 16.8 25.7 40.9 64.0 98.0 157.3 237.7

1 October 1979 to 31 March 1980

Deaths 4,270 644 22,096 36,236 47,530 53,758 45,968 32,951 20,939

Rate per thousand 13.5^* 0.6 18.4 28.8 45.5 73.6 112.2 183.8 288.2

1 April 1980 to 30 June 1980‡

Deaths 1,919 266 10,576 16,528 21,999 24,298 21,279 15,062 9,199

Rate per thousand 11.4^* 0.5 17.0 26.5 42.1 66.2 103.3 166.8 257.0

^* rate per 1,000 livebirths.

† 1–5 age group not readily available.

‡ 1 July 1980–30 September 1980 not available.

Deaths from all causes and death rates per thousand population for certain age-groups in England and Wales for certain periods.
	Age
	under 1 year	1–4†	60–64	65–69	70–74	75–79	80–84	85.89	90 +over
1 April 1978 to 30 September 1978
Deaths	3,826	622	21,169	33,279	42,497	45,397	38,752	27,236	16,077
Rate per thousand	12.6^*	0.5	16.6	26.4	41.3	64.3	99.4	154.7	237.1
1 October 1978 to 31 March 1979
Deaths	4,221	699	23,725	37,657	49,796	54,859	47,873	34,529	21,324
Rate per thousand	13.8^*	0.6	19.2	30.0	48.3	77.0	120.9	194.6	368.9
1 April 1979 to 30 September 1979
Deaths	3,832	516	20,292	32,366	42,627	46,214	39,502	27,666	16,829
Rate per thousand	12.0^*	0.4	16.8	25.7	40.9	64.0	98.0	157.3	237.7
1 October 1979 to 31 March 1980
Deaths	4,270	644	22,096	36,236	47,530	53,758	45,968	32,951	20,939
Rate per thousand	13.5^*	0.6	18.4	28.8	45.5	73.6	112.2	183.8	288.2
1 April 1980 to 30 June 1980‡
Deaths	1,919	266	10,576	16,528	21,999	24,298	21,279	15,062	9,199
Rate per thousand	11.4^*	0.5	17.0	26.5	42.1	66.2	103.3	166.8	257.0
^* rate per 1,000 livebirths.
† 1–5 age group not readily available.
‡ 1 July 1980–30 September 1980 not available.