§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to make changes to the health authority structures in the regions of Lancashire and South Cumbria; [92926]
(2) what estimate he has made of the savings which could be made from the unification of North West Lancashire and South Lancashire health authorities in terms of management costs. [92927]
§ Mr. DenhamThe National Health Service Executive North West is presently considering the impact of recent policy changes on organisations across the whole region, including health authorities and trusts. It is proposing to engage Members of Parliament, health authorities, NHS trusts, primary care groups, community health councils and others in local dialogue to discuss the way ahead. At this stage, the regional office has no specific intentions, nor has it made any recommendations for health authority changes in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Any reconfigurations which may emerge from this process will reflect these discussions and not be driven purely by financial considerations.