§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the extent to which health authorities and health commissioning agencies should take account of the views of the local population and general practitioners.
§ Mr. MaloneHealth authorities are expected to consult widely with their local populations, general practitioners and other interested agencies in establishing local priorities, developing annual purchasing plans and longer term strategies. Recent guidance—EL(94)79—sets out an enhanced role for GPs working in partnership with health authorities in developing local health strategies. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.