Written question asked by Julian Brazier (Conservative) on Monday, 13 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 June 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Monday, 10 June 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when will appointments to the Reconfiguration Panel be completed; and whether (a) Kent and Canterbury, (b) Royal Hospital Haslar, (c) Solihull Hospital, (d) Kidderminster Hospital and (e) West Cornwall Hospital Penzance will be referred to the Panel.

Answer: Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when will appointments to the reconfiguration panel be completed; and whether (a) Kent and Canterbury, (b) Royal Hospital Haslar, (c) Solihull hospital, (d) Kidderminster hospital and (e) West Cornwall hospital Penzance will be referred to the panel. [57093] Ms Blears: It is vital that the independent reconfiguration panel (IRP) has both the confidence of the general public and credibility within the national health service. We are therefore considering our options very carefully before making any decisions about the membership. The IRP will offer advice to the Secretary of State for Health on any contested reconfiguration proposals that he asks the panel to consider. However, it will not be asked to consider any proposals that were referred to the Secretary of State for Health before the panel begins working--which we anticipate will be in the autumn.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 57093; 386 c1079W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Public appointments Royal Hospital Haslar Kidderminster Hospital Independent Reconfiguration Panel Solihull Hospital Kent and Canterbury Hospital West Cornwall Hospital
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk