§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether strategic health authorities will have the power to intervene where guidance is not being implemented or adhered to. [HL3153]
§ Baroness AndrewsStrategic Health Authorities (SHAs) have a responsibility to performance manage the local National Health Service and could intervene if performance is inadequate. The Department of Health will hold SHAs to account for performance against the priorities set out in the priorities and planning framework and can intervene where "Directions" are not being adhered to. It will not however routinely intervene in matters of guidance as it is up to the NHS to implement best practice locally.