§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on proposals to merge Harrogate and York NHS Trusts; and if he will make a statement. [138314]
§ Mr. DenhamAt the present time there are no formal proposals to merge the Harrogate Health Care National Health Service Trust and the York Health Services NHS Trust. Discussions between the North Yorkshire Health Authority and the trusts are ongoing concerning the future configuration of acute services. Should any proposals to change management structures come out of these discussions, they will be the subject of formal consultation.