§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work on efficiency scrutiny he announced on 11 October; who is conducting the efficiency scrutiny; and what are its terms of reference. [3340]
§ Mr. HoramMy right hon. the Secretary of State has asked Mr. Jim Hammond, chief executive of East Gloucestershire national health service trust, to lead the efficiency scrutiny into the burdens of paperwork in NHS trusts and health authorities. The terms of reference for the team are:
- a. to identify achievable reductions in the administrative burden associated with the work of NHS trusts and health authorities and recommend action which will eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, consistent with the objective of improving the efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of patient services;
- b. to examine the traffic in guidance and information that flows between the Department of Health—including the NHS Executive and regional health authorities—and trusts and health authorities, and make recommendations that will reduce the burden on the NHS while retaining the information necessary for the effective management of the service.
The team will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and the Prime Minister's efficiency adviser, Sir Peter Levene, before the end of March 1996 with recommendations for implementation within two years.