HC Deb 17 July 1984 vol 64 cc142-3W
Mr. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list those district health authorities which insist on having a stolen lost or damaged form, before an article is written off;

(2) if he will make it National Health Service policy that reasons should always be given when a new requisition for equipment is made;

(3) if he will list those district health authorities which carry out cross checks between loss, damage and theft reports on request for replacement items;

(4) if he will list those district health authorities which have a system to query the fate of an original item before a replacement item is issued.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We direct health authorities to have adequate systems for the ordering and supply of goods, for disposals, for the safe custody of assets and for the recording of losses but we do not hold detailed information about the procedures of each authority centrally. We have recently asked all authorities to review their procedures to achieve maximum security compatible with costs and the operational environment. As from 1984–85 all discrepancies and unexplained issues are to be recorded and reported to the Department.

Mr. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list those district health authorities which carry out a reconciliation between linen sent to the laundry and linen returned;

(2) if he will list those district health authorities which carry out a reconciliation between meals issued in their hospitals and stores purchased;

(3) if he will list those district health authorities which record (a) theft of non-National Health service property on their premises and (b) crimes of violence to non-National Health Service staff on their premises.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

These are matters which we asked health authorities to include in the review of security procedures they were asked to undertake in circular HC(82)19. All health authorities have developed or are developing their strategies and we are currently considering their reports.