NHS Health Advisory Service

HL Deb 31 October 1996 vol 575 c30WA

The Earl of Lindsey and Abingdon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a decision has been made on the findings of the review of the NHS Health Advisory Service.

Baroness Cumberlege

We have decided to merge the NHS Health Advisory Service, from April 1997, with a consortium led by the Royal College of Psychiatrists research unit and comprising members from the Royal College of Nursing Institute, Office for Public Management and British Geriatrics Society.

We believe this decision develops and builds on the work of the review team. It is the basis for an up-to-date and proactive advisory service, equipped with a multi-disciplinary team able to help organisations improve and develop services.

Under a separate contract, the work of the Drug Advisory Service will also change. It will take a more active role in alcohol misuse services and it will develop as a resource for health and local authority purchasers of substance misuse services.