§ 26. Mr. ChisholmTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will issue guidelines concerning primary care trusts and local healthcare co-operatives. [45597]
§ Mr. DewarI have no immediate plans to issue guidelines. Development of primary care trusts and local healthcare co-operatives is being taken forward through local discussion and meetings. I do not wish to impose any central blueprint on that process but we have set up a central organisational development team, with a £1 million budget, to help Health Boards develop LHCCs.
§ 27. Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future configuration of national health service trusts in Scotland; and when he expects to introduce proposed legislation. [45598]
§ Mr. DewarDetailed proposals for new NHS Trust configurations are currently the subject of public consultation in each Health Board area. Subject to the outcome of public consultation, I expect to be in a position to take decisions about the new configurations in late summer. No new primary legislation is required to482W establish NHS Trusts in Scotland to a new configuration. Legislation required to implement some of the proposals set out in "Designed to Care: Renewing the National Health Service in Scotland" (Cm 3811) will be introduced when a suitable opportunity arises.