§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures were used to appoint the chief executive of the West Midlands South strategic health authority; and if he will make a statement. [28193]
§ Yvette CooperThe appointment of the chief executive designate of the Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire health authority, in common with that for all the chief executives designate of the other health authorities, was through a process of open competition. The chief executive posts were advertised nationally. The appointment process included the national health service chief executive, regional commissioners from the NHS appointments commission, the directors of health and social care in the Department, patients representatives and the health authority chairs designate. Chief executives will be formally appointed to health authorities on the basis of their franchise plans following the establishment of the new health authorities in April.