§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there are any circumstances in which strategic health authorities will enter into contracts for the supply of acute hospital services in England. [HL5622]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathPrimary care trusts are responsible for planning and securing the provision of all the care and services that their population needs. This includes commissioning all acute services for their populations. Normally, the strategic health authorities' role is to ensure that each primary care trust has appropriate arrangements in place both for commissioning by itself and with others through consortia. It will also be represented on commissioning consortia for specialist services and provide support26WA and experience as well as ensuring consistency across primary care trusts. In cases of extreme failure by PCTs to fulfil their duties/functions, provision is made for an intervention order under Section 84A or a default order under Section 85 of the National Health Service Act 1977 as a result of which strategic health authorities could be directed to undertake the duties on behalf of the PCT.