§ Mr. Gwilym Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what objectives are set for managers in the National Health Service in Wales; what monitoring is undertaken to ascertain if those objectives are attained; and what action is taken in the event of objectives not being attained.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonThe objectives of NHS general management in Wales are set out in the Department's circular WHC(84)15 which is available in the Library. It is for each individual health authority to determine specific objectives for unit and district general managers. The Department also monitors authorities' performance through a formal annual review process and by regular meetings with health authority chairmen and general managers. Action in cases where objectives are not attained would naturally vary in the circumstances of the case. General manager appointments have been made for a fixed term initially of three to five years, but with the option for either party to terminate the contract at the end of either the first or second year subject to six months' notice.