HC Deb 18 May 1989 vol 153 cc284-5W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in the north-west have expressed interest in opting out; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

RHAs are currently considering expressions of interest in individual hospitals becoming self governing. They have been asked to send the expressions of interest to the Department, together with their comments, by 31 May.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if community health councils will be accorded the same rights in relation to proposals for the self-governing status of particular hospitals as they currently enjoy in relation to closure proposals.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation rights Central Manchester community health council will have in any decision of the Central Manchester district health authority to seek self-governing status for its hospitals.

Mr. Mellor

Community health councils will be consulted on local applications for self-governing status and my right hon. and learned Friend will consider their views when deciding on applications.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health managers whose hospitals opt for self-governing status will qualify for incentive payments under the arrangements for performance-related pay.

Mr. Mellor

This will be for individual hospital trusts to decide.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to enable the local public to determine through secret ballots whether particular hospitals should have self-governing status.

Mr. Mellor

No.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) by what means he expects regional health authorities to gauge the views of local communities on proposals for particular hospitals to have self-governing status;

(2) what advice he has given to regional health authorities in processing proposals for the self-governing status of particular hospitals when such proposals are strongly opposed by many of those deemed to have an interest in the hospitals concerned.

Mr. Mellor

Regional health authorities were given general advice in National Health Service review working paper No. 1—"Self-Governing Hospitals", published on 20 February 1989. Regional health authorities will determine precisely how they publicise applications and seek the views of those with an interest.