HC Deb 18 January 1993 vol 217 cc85-6W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the findings of Sir Roy Griffiths in relation to the operation of the West Midlands regional health authority.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make public the reports she has received from Sir Roy Griffiths in respect of the West Midlands regional health authority.

Dr. Mawhinney

Sir Roy Griffiths was asked to work with West Midlands regional health authority in looking at its management systems to enable the authority to discharge its functions more effectively in the future. Sir Roy has been keeping the Department and region in touch with progress and a number of changes have now been made. As indicated at the outset there are no plans for a formal report on his work to be published.

Mr. Purchase

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the actions of Sir James Ackers, former chair of the West Midlands regional health authority, in respect of financial losses to the health services in the west midlands; and when she proposes to make good these losses.

Dr. Mawhinney

Sir James Ackers was chairman of West Midlands regional health authority for over 10 years, during which time many excellent developments in health care took place. Recently, the region has faced a number of difficulties arising from management of its regionally managed services. When Sir James became aware of the problems he instigated remedial action, including changes in managerial structures, lines of accountability, the limits of authority and the standing and financial orders together with a number of senior management changes. Management of the West Midlands regional health authority and the provision of health services for the people of the west midlands is the responsibility of the regional health authority. Allocation and use of resources to meet these objectives are therefore matters for them.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will order the publication of the report by the district auditor into the West Midlands regional health authority currently in the hands of senior management of that authority.

Dr. Mawhinney

The district auditor's report on the West Midlands supplies division was published on 10 September 1992. No other reports are currently complete.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial settlement was made in respect of the resignation of Sir James Ackers as chair of the West Midlands regional health authority.

Dr. Mawhinney

No decision has been made.