HC Deb 01 May 1990 vol 171 cc528-9W
51. Mr. Irvine

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to streamline management in the National Health Service.

99. Mr. Gregory

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in the streamlining of management within the National Health Service.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The NHS management executive, whose central role was proposed in the White Paper "Working for Patients", has now been set up. The management executive is in close contact with regional health authorities as they take forward proposals for the delegation of functions and other management aspects of the White Paper.

Copies of the report, "Developing Districts", which was published yesterday and which provides advice to district health authorities to help them adapt to their new role, have been placed in the Library.

Progress overall is good and we remain confident that management arrangements will be in place to enable the reforms contained in the National Health Service and Community Care Bill to be implemented next year.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further representations he has received regarding balloting prior to any hospital coming out of the existing National Health Service management structure.

106. Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the need for balloting before hospitals opt out of the existing National Health Service management structure.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have received representations on this subject from a number of hon. Members, representative organisations and from individual members of the public since the beginning of the year. Regions will make arrangements for consulting on any proposals which are brought forward for the establishment of NHS trusts.