§ Sir Wyn RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has concluded his consideration of the future configuration of health authorities in Wales; and when a decision is likely to be released to the service.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe extensive consultation exercise conducted by my Department revealed a broad consensus1140W on the advantages of amalgamating district health authorities and family health services authorities. Opinion was much more divided on the geographical areas which merged authorities should cover.
In the light of the consultation responses, I believe that the health service in Wales will best be served by a reduction of DHAs and FHSAs from 17 to five. Subject to legislation, this will involve the merger of DHAs and FHSAs and the geographical amalgamation of certain areas also. My preferred option—based on option C in the consultation document—will involve the creation by 1 April 1996 of:
- a North Wales Health Authority (Gwynedd and Clwyd);
- a Mid and West Wales Health Authority (Powys and Dyfed);
- an enlarged Gwent Health Authority (including Caerphilly Unitary Authority area);
- an enlarged West Glamorgan Health Authority (including Bridgend Unitary Authority area); and
- a Mid and South Glamorgan Health Authority (comprising all of South Glamorgan and the remaining parts of the present Mid Glamorgan)
Recognising the strides already made by Pembrokeshire and East Dyfed health authorities to establish a West Wales Commission, those DHAs could be amalgamated formally in advance of the main reorganisation. I therefore propose to issue very shortly draft regulations for their amalgamation to form a single Dyfed health authority as from 1 April 1995.
My aim is:
- to reduce expenditure on management and administrative costs in favour of spending on direct patient care;
- to ensure that Health Authorities are in a position to perform all their roles and functions effectively; and
- to ensure that Health Authority boundaries are compatible with those of the new Unitary Authority boundaries.
The reorganisation should result in significant savings, which I believe should exceed £3 million per year in the longer term, allowing more patients to be treated sooner. As it is envisaged that fewer staff will be required than at present, I expect health authorities to use natural wastage to run down their numbers. There will be full consideration and consultation.
I believe that the new health authorities should aim to pursue greater patient choice. Their task is to improve standards of care and treatment and provide effective stewardship of public resources.
I am writing today to the chairmen of the existing health authorities and family health service authorities informing them of the outcome of my deliberations. Having decided upon the future health authority structure in Wales, I hope to shortly announce my decision on the structure of community health councils in Wales.