HC Deb 12 March 2002 vol 381 cc1018-9W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation will take place in relation to the future of hospital trusts. [2933]

Ms Blears

I apologise to my hon. Friend for the delay in responding to this question. I refer him to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.

We are committed to ensuring that there are comprehensive mechanisms in place to ensure full and effective consultation on matters relating to the national health service.

Currently the NHS has a duty to consult with community health councils on changes to the NHS. The NHS Reform and Healthcare Professions Bill, currently before Parliament, provides for the abolition of community health councils, which are to be replaced by a wider and more comprehensive patient and public involvement system.

In the future the NHS will be placed under a duty to consult local authority overview and scrutiny committees on plans substantially to develop or vary health services, including hospital trusts. This duty is provided for in the Health and Social Care Act 2001.

Additionally, section 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 places a duty on the NHS to involve and consult the public and its representatives on the planning and development of services, and to involve them in decisions affecting services.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the number of board meetings held without minutes being taken by the Chorley and South Ribble Hospital; [2932]

(2) if he will make a statement on the emergency board meeting of the Chorley and South Ribble and Preston acute hospital trusts regarding merger, with particular reference to the notice given to board members. [2924]

Jacqui Smith

I apologise to my hon. Friend for the delay in responding to this question. I refer him to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.

All formal meetings of the Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust Board have been properly minuted. The Chairs of Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust and Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust called an extraordinary joint meeting of Non-Executive, Executive Directors and senior officers who report directly to the Chief Executive, on 2 July 2001. The agenda was issued on 28 June 2001. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss the appointment of a new Chief Executive, but the question of a possible merger was then raised. The subject was formally debated at the next meeting of the Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust Board which took place on 30 July 2001.

Consultation on the proposed merger of the Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust and the Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is due to conclude on 10 March. A submission will then be put to Ministers in due course.