§ 35. Mr. Andrew MacKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the reactions from the public to his proposed plans for self-governing hospitals.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeReaction is still at a very general level, but is encouragingly positive. Some of the early respondents had been unnecessarily alarmed by the Labour party's insinuations that self-governing hospitals would be in the private sector, but I believe that the message is now successfully getting through that they will remain fully part of the National Health Service.
§ 37. Mr. MadelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the steps he envisages will have to be taken before a National Health Service hospital can apply to become self-governing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI would refer my hon. Friend to section 5 of the NHS review working paper (1): "Self-Governing Hospitals", which was published yesterday. That briefly outlines the process for achieving self-governing status.
§ 72. Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inquiries he has received so far about his plans for self-governing hospitals, contained within the White Paper.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIt is too early to expect firm proposals from hospitals seeking self-governing status. But we have received a number of inquiries for further information.
§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to propose any minimum size for a hospital wishing to leave the control of the district health authority.
§ 54. Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to permit hospitals other than major acute hospitals to become self-governing.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAny hospital which meets the criteria in chapter 3 of the White Paper "Working for Patients" would be eligible for self-governing status, regardless of size or specialism.
§ 46. Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the suitability of hospitals in Liverpool for conversion to trust status.
§ 81. Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals on Merseyside will be eligible for self-management under the Government's new National Health Service proposals.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIt is too early to make such assessments. Over time, I expect that as many hospitals as are willing and able to do so will become self-governing.