§ Sir Irvine PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates have been made of the savings resulting from the abolition of regional health authorities. [2187]
§ Mr. MaloneBy 1997–98, total annual savings from the abolition of regional health authorities are expected to be around £100 million. A further £50 million has also been saved from the creation of single health authorities at local level. These substantial savings will be retained by the national health service and reinvested in patient care.