§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what decision has been made by the North Western regional health authority as to whether the new children's hospital planned for Greater Manchester will be allowed to opt out; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe North Western regional health authority has agreed in principle to proceed with a children's tertiary referral centre with St. Mary's hospital, central Manchester, as the preferred location. No firm decision on the timing of the development has been made.
If this goes ahead, there are a number of possibilities: the centre may form part of Manchester central Hospitals and Community Care National Health Service Trust; remain a directly managed unit; or seek to become a trust in its own right.