To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to give reasons when she rejects a recommendation from an Overview and Scrutiny Committee for a proposed NHS re-configuration to be referred to the Independent Review Panel. (94281)

An overview and scrutiny committee (OSC) may make a referral to the Secretary of State on the grounds of inadequate consultation or that the proposals are not in the best interests of the health service. In making her decision the Secretary of State may seek advice from the independent reconfiguration panel but is not required to do so. The response to the OSC focuses on the specific grounds of referral and there are no plans to change this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to give reasons when she accepts a recommendation from an overview and scrutiny committee for a proposed reconfiguration of NHS services when the proposed reconfiguration spans two local authority areas. (95365)

An overview and scrutiny committee (OSC) may make a referral to the Secretary of State on the grounds of inadequate consultation or that the proposals are not in the best interests of the health service. The response to the OSC will address the specific grounds of referral.