§ 15. Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes she is considering to the consultation procedure relating to the creation of NHS trusts.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe procedure for consulting community health councils and other appropriate bodies about establishing a national health service trust is laid down in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. I am not considering any changes to that procedure.
§ 16. Dr. Goodson-WickesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of interest she has received in the fourth wave of NHS trusts.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI have given permission to 121 units to prepare national health service trust applications in the fourth wave. If they are succesful, then 95 per cent. of the hospital and community health services budget will be spent through national health service trusts from April 1994. A list of 121 units has been placed in the Library.