§ Mr. HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance her Department have given to regional health authorities as to the selection procedures that should be followed, for considering possible names for consideration as non-executive directors of NHS trusts; what assessment she has made of the procedures adopted by the South West regional health authority; and if she will make a statement.
50W
§ Dr. MawhinneyIn the past, regional health authority chairmen have adopted selection procedures they considered appropriate in order to identify the best candidates to meet Ministers' aim of appointing people from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of skills and experience.
Ministers will be discussing with the recently announced regional chairmen the procedures for identifying and selecting candidates for national health service appointments, with a view to adopting a common process in all regions which continues to identify the most able people available for appointment.
We have no reason to believe that the selection processes adopted by South Western regional health authority have been unsatisfactory.
§ Mr. HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the guidance and terms of reference provided by her Department to regional health authorities for prospective appointments as non-executive directors of NHS trusts; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyAppointments to the boards of prospective national health service trusts are made in accordance with general guidance from Ministers to the chairmen of regional health authorities. The appointment processes will be the subject of discussion with the recently announced regional chairmen, with a view to adopting a common process in all regions which continues to identify the most able people for appointment.