HC Deb 20 November 1996 vol 285 cc594-5W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to carry out a review of the current provision of acute medical services within the Ayrshire and Arran health board area with a view to the creation of a single acute NHS trust for Ayrshire. [5054]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I have no plans to do so. The organisation of health provision is a matter for the health board and the NHS trusts to agree in accordance with their shared assessment of health needs for the area.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place between the Scottish Office, the Ayrshire and Arran health board and the South and North Ayrshire NHS trusts relating to the amalgamation of the existing acute NHS trusts to provide a single acute service NHS trust for Ayrshire and Arran. [5050]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

There have been no such discussions.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations the Scottish Office has received in the last three years in respect of the creation of a single acute NHS trust for the Ayrshire and Arran area. [5051]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The only written representations received were from the hon. Member on 27 July and 3 September 1994. The hon. Member also raised the matter during the Scottish Grand Committee debate in Ayr on 10 June 1996.