HC Deb 29 October 1993 vol 230 cc836-8W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral statement of 21 October,Official Report, columns 398–400, on managing the new NHS, what mechanisms will be established to enable the new regional offices to monitor and promote sub-regional equity.

Dr. Mawhinney

Following the proposed abolition of regional health authorities, the allocation of resources to district health authorities, family health services authorities and general practitioner fundholders would be handled by the National Health Service Management Executive, of which the regional offices will be part, within the policies and financial strategy set by Ministers.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral statement of 21 October,Official Report, columns 398–400, on managing the new NHS, (1) how the regional function related to the implementation of the "The Health of the Nation" strategy will be managed;

(2) how the regional research and development function will be managed;

(3) how the regional clinical audit function will be managed.

Dr. Mawhinney

The main functions carried out in the national health service above the level of purchasers and providers are described in the background document "Managing the new NHS", copies of which are available in the Library. The detailed allocation of functions to the NHS Management Executive headquarters and regional offices, and the arrangements for discharging those functions, have not yet been decided. The Government remain committed to the "Health of the Nation" strategy, the research and development strategy and the development of clinical audit.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions she intends to take to enable the NHS Management Executive to take on a clearer identity as the headquarters of the national health service.

Dr. Mawhinney

The National Health Service Management Executive is to be streamlined and reorganised to include eight regional offices, each headed by a regional director. This will focus it on the key functions which it needs to perform as the headquarters of the NHS, with a strategic rather than operational role. Work will be undertaken to define clearly the respective roles and responsibilities of the NHS Management Executive and the wider Department of Health.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her latest estimate of the number of NHS staff who will be made redundant as a result of the proposed abolition of regional health authorities and NHS Management Executive outposts; and if she will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

No estimate has been made. Future manpower requirements for the National Health Service Management Executive will be determined in the light of the functions which are to be discharged by the headquarters and the regional offices.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guarantees of terms of employment she intends to implement for NHS staff transferring from regional health authorities to other NHS bodies.

Dr. Mawhinney

Our intention is that, so far as the law allows, all staff who transfer from regional health authorities to other national health service bodies will have their terms of employment determined as though the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply. This will mean that staff transferring will generally be able to preserve their continuity of service in the NHS. Staff who transfer between health authorities in the circumstances provided by the NHS (Transfer of Officers Regulations) (No. 2) Regulations, 1986 are already assured of continuity of service.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing how many national health service trusts fall into(a) band 1, (b) band 2 and (c) band 3 according to unit turnover.

Mr. Sackville

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for Health gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 23 February at columns550–55.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral statement of 21 October,Official Report, columns 398–400, on the new NHS, what role she is planning for community health councils within the new NHS structure; and if she will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

Community health councils have an important role in representing, from an independent viewpoint, the voice of individuals and communities, and this will continue. Arrangements for the establishment and funding of community health councils after the proposed abolition of regional health authorities will be discussed with representatives of the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales as legislation is prepared.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral statement of 21 October,Official Report, columns 398–400, on managing the new NHS, what plans she has to ensure (a) that a public health function remains at the intermediate tier and (b) that those succeeding regional directors of public health retain their ability to make independent statements.

Dr. Mawhinney

The background document "Managing the New NHS", which provides further information in support of the decisions announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 21 October, states that the major public health responsibilities currently undertaken by regional health authorities will be incorporated in the regional offices of the National Health Service Management Executive, and that the professional accountability for public health issues will remain unaltered. Copies of the background document are available in the Library.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations were received by those conducting the NHS functions and manpower review from representatives of community health councils.

Dr. Mawhinney

None. The deputy chief executive of the National Health Service Management Executive discussed issues relating to the functions and manpower review at a meeting with representatives of the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales in September.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will publish a table showing how many family health service authorities fall into(a) band 1, (b) band 2 and (c) band 3 according to the population of the area covered by the authority;

(2) if she will publish a table showing how many district health authorities fall into (a) band 1, (b) band 2 and (c) band 3 according to revenue budget.

Dr. Mawhinney

This information is not available centrally.