§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will review the public consultation process applicable where there are alterations in the purchasing policies of a number of health authorities or general practitioner fund holders involving the move by each of the contract for a small number of patients from one local hospital to another leading to significant changes in the overall provision of the local health services; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleNo. Purchasing shifts are required if national and local objectives for health gains are to be achieved. The national health service management executive has recently issued guidance to the service about how change should be managed under cover of EL(93)10 "Managing Activity and Change through Contracting," copies of which are available in the Library.