Consultation to highlight local authority accountability

A new consultation is to be held by the Department of Health (DoH) to tackle issues of local authority accountability in the provision of care.

According to the DoH, the interests of patients and the public should remain at the heart of health sector planning and therefore this review will examine arrangements for local authority scrutiny in this area.

Proposals include requirements for the publication of clear timescales for the provision of new services, as well as a greater focus on financial sustainability and the introduction a new intermediate referral stage to the NHS Commissioning Board for some service reconfigurations.

Earlier this week, the government department published far-reaching proposals for the reform of the NHS.

Secretary of state for health Andrew Lansley commented: "Our plans will bring the most comprehensive overhaul of social care since 1948 and will mean that people get the care and support that they need to be safe and to live well."