To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his decision to abolish the Department for Health and Social Care; and what he plans to replace it with. [97040]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to disestablish NHS Directorates of Health and Social Care; and where each of their functions will be transferred. [100710]
[holding answer 5 March 2003]: The Department has announced a change programme, which reflects the change in its role. This includes the integration of the functions and, responsibilities of Directorates of Health and Social Care into other parts of the Department, which will be completed by October 2003. The Directorates' public health function will remain co-located with the Government Offices of the Region, strengthening inter-departmental links on health protection, health promotion and inequalities.