§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what actions he has taken in accordance with his duties under section 3(1)(c) of the National Health Service Act 1977, relating to medical, dental, nursing and ambulance services, or what action he intends to take, where standards do not meet the criteria of the Act; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action he has taken in accordance with his dutes under section 3(1)(e) of the National Health Service Act 1977, relative to prevention of illness, care and aftercare, or what action he intends to take, where standards do not meet the criteria of the Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinUnder section 8 of the NHS Act 1977, I have appointed health authorities, to whom I have delegated these duties under Section 13 of the Act. I issue guidance to health authorities from time to time, for example through, the recently published "Care in Action". I monitor health authorities' performance of their delegated duties in a variety of ways, including statistical returns and the NHS planning system; but it is essentially for the health authorities themselves to determine the appropriate mix and standard of health care sevices they provide in the light of financial constraints and other local circumstances.