HC Deb 06 February 1989 vol 146 cc501-2W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, under his proposals for the National Health

Service announced on 31 January, he will make it his policy to allow the local community to have a vote prior to a hospital with more than 250 beds deciding to operate on an independent basis.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The White Paper published on 31 January outlines plans for self-governing hospitals within the NHS. Proposals will be given local publicity but I see no merit in making management changes within the NHS subject to a vote by the residents of a particular locality.

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