HL Deb 20 February 1995 vol 561 c58WA
The Earl of Bradford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the increase in numbers of NHS Trusts has led to a consequent reduction in the operating costs of Regional Health Authorities.

Baroness Cumberlege

The National Health Service reforms have devolved responsibilities to local level—to district health authorities for purchasing and trusts for providing healthcare. The success of this process has enabled the Government to reduce the number of regional health authorities (RHAs) from 14 to 8, and at the same time reduce their size and operating costs considerably.

The Health Authorities Bill draws the reforms to a conclusion and includes in its provisions the abolition of the RHAs. This is expected to produce total annual savings of some £100 million by 1997–98, which will be reinvested in patient care.