Examination of Witnesses (Questions 480-483)
TUESDAY 4 MARCH 2003
RT HON
ALAN MILBURN
MP AND MR
ANDY MCKEON
480. You are reducing that for all at the moment.
(Mr Milburn) I am going to come to that in a moment.
That made a lot of demands on local health services. You are right
we are reducing it because in the four year period between 1993
and 1996 there was a grand total of over 1,100 circulars making
demands on the health service issued. In the last four years there
have been 318 issued. They cover all manner of interesting things.
For example, in the non financial freedom area, on HR, there are
requirements on the NHS about the provision of latex medical gloves
and powdered latex medical gloves.
481. You think you will issue only in future
to non foundation trusts.
(Mr Milburn) I think it is something that we would
want to make available as good practice guidance. There are clearly
health and safety—
482. You will force the non foundation trusts
to do it but not the foundation trusts?
(Mr Milburn) That will be a transitional problem,
will it not? I read your Adjournment Debate very carefully, for
example, and I thought the point that you made in your Adjournment
Debate about trying to codify some of these freedoms was an important
one. We are going to try to do that so we make it clear both to
foundation trusts and NHS trusts that remain until they graduate
to NHS foundation trust status what the rules of the game are.
I thought actually the most telling point you made in your Adjournment
Debate was the final question that you asked which was why not
make the reforms focus on more freedom for all and not just for
the few and that is precisely what we intend to do.
Chairman
483. Can I thank you, Secretary of State, and
Mr McKeon for your very helpful evidence. We are most grateful
to you. It is always a pleasure having you here. Thank you very
much.
(Mr Milburn) It is a pleasure to be here. Thank you.
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