§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for mergers of NHS trusts in the Birmingham area; and if he will make a statement on their effect on the future of Solihull hospital. [8157]
§ Mr. MilburnThere are currently no proposals for trust mergers in the Birmingham area. In April 1996, Solihull hospital merged with Birmingham Heartlands NHS Trust to form Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull NHS trust (Teaching). The merger secured the future of Solihull Hospital and local services for the people of Solihull. There are no plans to change this arrangement.