§ Mr. FrancoisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the anticipated costs are of early retirement associated with the establishment of strategic health authorities. [26612]
§ Mr. HuttonThe current re-organisation of the national health service involves a significant movement of staff. However, all staff are guaranteed employment until 2003. With this in mind, it is too early to indicate levels (and therefore costs) of early retirement resulting from the forthcoming structural changes.
§ Mr. FrancoisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the anticipated annual saving to the NHS budget is of replacing existing health authorities with the proposed strategic health authorities. [26598]
§ Mr. HuttonStrategic health authorities will not be replacing the existing 95 health authorities. Existing health authorities will be disestablished at the end of March and the vast majority of their functions transferred to primary care trusts. Strategic health authorities will have a new role: one of strategic development and performance management. However, the reductions in bureaucracy made as a result of the whole reform programme will lead over time to annual savings of £100 million.