§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings; and if this is in each case (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [35089]
§ Mr. MaloneAll national health service trusts are statutorily required to hold one annual meeting which is open to the public. No information is available centrally on the many NHS trusts which voluntarily admit the public to their board meetings.
All NHS trusts which are considering dissolution are statutorily required to consult the relevant community health council. No information is available centrally on individual NHS trusts which voluntarily conduct other consultation exercises either with the public or with outside commercial interests.
There is no statutory requirement for NHS boards to maintain a register of members' interests, but all NHS trusts are required by the codes of conduct and accountability to do so. These registers are available for inspection by the public.
There is no obligation on NHS trusts to publish the agendas and minutes of their meetings. Information is not available centrally on how many NHS trusts voluntarily do so.