§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has issued to health boards in Scotland about the employment of nursing staff as unit managers in the re-structuring of health board administration; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayGuidance on the implementation of general management in units of the Scottish Health Service was issued by the Scottish Home and Health Department on 25 August 1986 in NHS Circular 1986 (GEN) 20, copies of which are in the Library.
Unit general manager posts will be widely advertised by health boards. Competition will be open. There will be no presumption for or against applicants from any particular background. The principal criterion for selection will be management skill and aptitude. The circular contains guidance on appropriate involvement of nursing and other professional staff in support of unit general managers.