HC Deb 08 March 1985 vol 74 cc632-3W
Mr. Corrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to implement his proposals for developing the general management function in the National Health Service in Scotland.

Mr. Younger

I received some 90 responses from individuals and organisations to the proposals I issued for consultation in June last year. These indicated a considerable measure of support for my intention to introduce the general management function into the Scottish Health Service.

My Department is today issuing guidance to health boards requiring them to make arrangements to appoint general managers at board level. In mainland boards, the general manager posts will be new full-time posts; recruitment will be by open advertisement. Islands boards will select a general manager from their existing chief officers and general management duties will be performed in addition to that officer's existing functions. Mainland and Island boards are expected to have general managers appointed by the end of 1985.

I will be considering further how to develop the general management function at unit level in the light of a study of unit management which my Department will commission.

To enable my Department to provide the necessary guidance on strategic tasks and targets and to monitor the National Health Service's performance, I have created 'a new under-secretary post with responsibility for NHS management, finance and operational planning. I intend to establish a Health Service Policy Board, under the chairmanship of the Minister with responsibility for health and social work, to advise on policy decisions required for the Health Service in Scotland, the efficient management of the service, and the performance of the service in implementing agreed policy. The membership will include the chairman of the Scottish Health Boards Chairmen's Group and the chairman of the Scottish Health Service Planning Council, together with my Department's senior administrative and professional staff and the Chief Scientist. It will be supplemented as appropriate by the under-secretary responsible for the social work services group.

I have arranged for copies of the circular to be placed in the Library.