§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the present work programme of the NHS management executive on the improvement of district purchasing functions; and how their purchasing functions are kept under review.
§ Mr. DorrellA range of project-based work is in progress which includes work on creating healthy alliances for joint purchasing between district health authorities, family health services authorities, local authorities and others; developing an intelligence capability; ways of involving local people in purchasing; setting priorities and monitoring and evaluating contract effectiveness. A series of epidemiologically-based needs assessments have also been commissioned and 11 learning networks have been sponsored with over 55 district health authorities purchasing teams participating. The management executive is also working closely with the regional health authorities in the development of regionally specific comprehensive purchaser development programmes for 1992–93.