To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's policy is in respect of strategic health authority and NHS trust consultation with (a) NHS unions, (b) the general work force, (c) patients' groups and (d) the wider public before services are transferred from one hospital to another. (95364)

Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 requires all NHS bodies to involve and consult patients and the public in decisions affecting the operation of services. NHS organisations are also required to consult local authority overview and scrutiny committees on any proposals that represent a substantial service change.

Individual employing organisations are required under employment legislation to inform and consult staff and staff/union representatives on various issues affecting their own organisations. Each NHS organisation will have its own locally agreed consultation procedures.