§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the new strategic health authorities will have in ensuring effective patient and public involvement. [1839]
§ Ms BlearsThe detail of the roles and responsibilities of strategic health authorities are still being finalised. It is not possible to say at this stage what the precise arrangements will be for ensuring effective patient and public involvement mechanisms.
We shall be able to be much clearer about the role of strategic health authorities, including how it fits with the new involvement structures, later in the summer.
The new structures being formulated to strengthen patient and public voice and influence are based on the premise that every aspect of the National Health Service, both delivery and management, should respond to what 508W users of the NHS believe is right for the future of the health services they use. Strategic health authorities will, together with all other bodies in the NHS, need to respond to this important consideration.