§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward legislation to place a statutory duty on a health authority, which intends to close an accident or casualty unit, adequately to advertise the proposed closure.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Community Health Councils Regulations 1985 provide that a district health 43W authority considering a substantial variation in the provision of health services has a duty to consult the community health council. The exception to this is when the authority is satisfied that, in the interests of the health service, a decision has to be taken without allowing time for consultation. In such a case, however, the authority is required to notify the community health council immediately of the decision taken and the reason why no consultation has taken place.
Guidance from the Department, in particular circular HC(IS)207, a copy of which is in the Library, sets out the procedures to be followed by health authorities in relation to the closure or change of use of health buildings. They are advised to consult a number of organisations including local authorities, recognised staff organisations, family practitioner committees, local advisory committees and local medical committees, as well as community health councils.
We would expect a district health authority to satisfy itself that it had made adequate provision both for dealing with accidents and emergencies and for publicising locally any substantial changes to those arrangements.