§ 93. Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in the streamlining of management within the national health service.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyOur aim is to streamline the management of the national health service to ensure that it is better able to bring about improvements in health of the population, through services provided effectively, efficiently and economically. Our reforms have ensured a maximum devolution of functions and NHS authorities are now smaller, lines of accountability are clearer and primary health care is becoming better integrated with the hospital and community health service. Under the 793W leadership of its chief executive, Duncan Nichol, the NHS management executive is working closely with health service managers to clarify and simplify their tasks, so that they focus on their core functions and on outcomes. The national programme of health targets which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State announced on 9 October underlines this new focus.