HC Deb 06 November 1992 vol 213 c432W
Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the background to the review of services at Altnagelvin area hospital and detailing the reorganisation of services including relocation of wards, changes in speciality ward numbers, introduction of new facilities and the closure or phasing out of any existing facilities.

Mr. Hanley

The Western health and social services board has established a project review group, supported by the management consultant firm of Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte, to undertake a strategic review of acute services and associated requirements at Altnagelvin hospital.

The review group's recommendations will be considered by the Western board at its meeting on 30 November 1992, following which the board will submit proposals to the Department of Health and Social Services for consideration.

In the meantime a £6.6 million external re-cladding scheme for the hospital has already been approved and is at present in planning.

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contacts have been made between the management executive and units in the Western health and social services board regarding proposals or potential applications for moving to HSS trust status.

Mr. Hanley

The working paper "Self-Governing Hospitals in Northern Ireland—An Initial Guide" was issued in January 1990 and all units of management within the health and personal social services were invited to express an interest in becoming health and social services trusts. The initial guide was replaced by an updated version entitled "HSS: A Working Guide" which was also issued to every unit of management. After the first round, the chief executive of the management executive wrote to unit general managers in all four boards inviting expressions of interest in a second round. No expressions of interest have been received from any unit within the Western health and social services board in either round.