§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider appointing to each national health service executive region mangers with responsibility for implementing and monitoring her Department's policy on multi-cultural health care; and if she will make a statement. [32343]
§ Mr. MaloneAfter abolition of regional health authorities, it will not be appropriate for public health functions to be managed directly by national health service executive regional offices. Ownership of these functions lies at local level, reflecting the responsibility of health authorities for the overall health of the population. The NHS ethnic health unit works with health authorities and NHS trusts to secure greater benefit for minority ethnic people from the health service.
The priorities and planning guidance for 1996–97, published by the NHS executive in June 1995, requires health authorities and trusts to pay particular attention in seeking and addressing the concerns of those with special needs. The performance management arm of the NHS executive regional offices hold health authorities to account for the implementation of national policies, including the development of services for minority ethnic people.