§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much consultation occurred on the recent national health service reforms before they were instituted.
§ Mr. DorrellThe NHS reforms White Paper "Working for Patients", was published in January 1989. The Government have always been prepared to consider constructive proposals for implementation of the policies it set out. The NHS and Community Care Bill was introduced to Parliament on 22 November 1989, where it was subject to the scrutiny of both Houses, and the NHS and Community Care Act received Royal Assent on 29 June 1990. Under the Act NHS hospitals and other units seeking to apply for NHS trust status are obliged to conduct a three-month period of consultation with their local community health council and other bodies as appropriate.