HC Deb 01 June 1998 vol 313 cc129-30W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to health authorities about providing a choice of sources for family planning services; and when it was last issued. [42887]

Ms Jowell

Departmental guidance on National Health Service family planning services was issued in January 1992. The circular HSG(92)6 "Guidelines for reviewing family planning services Guidance for Regions", copies of which are in the Library, states that specialist family planning clinic services should complement those provided by general practitioners. The guidance asks health authorities to consider the best way to integrate the two to ensure the most comprehensive range of effective family planning services is provided to their local populations.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by health authority, the number of objections which he has received since 1 January about reductions in family planning services. [42888]

Ms Jowell

Since 1 January 1998, proposals from Northamptonshire Health Authority, which include changes to local family planning service provision, have been referred to Ministers for a final decision.