§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the position of hospital trusts in the national health service.
§ Dr. MawhinneyNHS trust status is the management model of choice for the provision of health care within the national health service. The first 57 NHS trusts have shown that they are better able to respond to patients needs through the great freedoms and flexibility that NHS trust status affords. Ninety-nine hospitals and other units became operational as NHS trusts from 1 April 1992 and we look to them and to those coming forward in subsequent waves to continue the tradition.