§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will monitor health authorities and trusts in order to establish whether temporary closure of long-stay elderly wards is used as a means to permanent closure; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisNo. District health authorities have a478W statutory duty to consult the relevant community health council on proposals they are considering that would result in substantial changes to local services.
§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that temporary closure of hospital wards is subject to full consultation procedures where this results in the break-up of specialist medical and nursing teams.
§ Mr. SackvilleRegulations specify that health authorities must consult where a substantial closure, development or variation of service is proposed. No distinction is made between permanent and temporary closure. A specialist medical and nursing team would normally only be changed for service reasons.