HC Deb 17 October 1994 vol 248 cc122-3W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the procedures for the appointment of members of community health councils under the proposed change of remit for regional health authorities announced on 21 October 1993.

Mr. Malone

The national health service executive working group, which is examining the detailed implications of the decision to transfer the establishment function for community health councils to the executive, will consider what changes may be required to the Community Health Council Regulations 1985 which govern appointment of members.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the mechanisms for the transfer of land property from regions to health authorities and trusts under the proposed change of remit for the regional health authorities announced on 21 October 1993.

Mr. Sackville

Proposed trusts agree schedules of property required for their operational purposes with district health authorities, facilitated by regional health authorities. When agreement has been reached, the RHA manages the legal process of transferring the property.

The legislation anticipated in "Managing the New NHS" announced in October 1993 is subject to the consent of Parliament, and has not yet been finalised.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the procedures for the advertising and appointment of chief officers of community health councils; and what will be the procedures under the proposed change of remit for regional health authorities announced on 21 October 1993.

Mr. Malone

It is for the regional health authority as the establishing authority to appoint the chief officer of a community health council subject to that person being acceptable to the council. The national health service executive, through its regional offices, will, subject to the agreement of Parliament, take over the establishing function from 1 April 1996. The detailed implications of this change including the future arrangements for appointment of CHCs are being considered by an NHS executive working group which includes members from both the Association of Community Health Councils and the Society of Community Health Councils Staff.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the status of regional general managers of public health under the proposed change of remit of regional health authorities announced on 21 October 1993; if they will be employed as civil servants; and what will be the status of the annual report on public health.

Mr. Malone

It is proposed that, subject to parliamentary approval of changes at regional level, each regional office will include a director of public health, who, as now, will be a doctor qualified in public health medicine. In future, they will be employed as civil servants. Information on the role of these staff is set out in paragraph seven of "Public Health in England", copies of which are available in the Library. As part of the Department of Health, the regional directors of public health will contribute to the Chief Medical Officer's annual report. Copies of the report are also available in the Library.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) to whom the responsibilities of(a) the North and (b) the South Thames regional health authorities will be transferred in the event of their dissolution;

(2) what plans she has for the future of (a) the North and (b) the South Thames regional health authorities.

Mr. Malone

The Government's intention to abolish regional health authorities was announced on 21 October 1993. Subject to parliamentary approval, RHAs' functions will be transferred to local health service bodies or to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. Legislation to implement these changes will be introduced as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows.