HC Deb 19 December 1988 vol 144 cc131-2W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all temporary closures of National Health Service premises by regional health authorities and district health authorities area since 1979, showing which facilities are currently open.

Mr. Mellor

We do not hold this information centrally.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the guidelines contained within HSC(IS)207 "Closure or Change of Use of Health Buildings" are adhered to.

Mr. Mellor

Health authorities should be aware of the guidelines. Ministers are prepared to consider any instance where this does not seem to have happened.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will indicate the difference between the categories of(a) temporary and (b) provisional when it is applied to closures of facilities or services within the National Health Service.

Mr. Mellor

The Community Health Council Regulations 1985, which prescribe procedures to be followed when a health authority wishes to substantially vary the services it provides, do not identify different categories of variations in services.