Annex A > Chapter 4 - National Accountabilities and Roles > The National Framework: responsibilities for healthcare > Links between the Welsh Office and the DoH
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Links between the Welsh Office and the DoH
24 Mr Gregory explained the links, both formal and informal, between the Welsh Office and the DoH in these terms:
`Given the greater resources of the Department of Health, and the need for consistency across England and Wales, or the whole UK, which the medical, nursing and other professions' governing bodies made desirable, the Welsh Office has always sought close informal and formal relationships with the Department of Health.' [30]
25 Mr Gregory said in his statement that liaison between the departments was provided by:
`a. Meetings of the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers (CMO) usually quarterly.
`b. Observer status at the National Specialised Commissioning Advisory Group (NSCAG) and before that its predecessor the Supra Regional [Services] Advisory Group (SRAG) [SRSAG].
`c. CMO attendance as observer at meetings of the General Medical Council (GMC).
`d. CMO attendance at meetings of the Joint Consultants' Committee (JCC).
`e. Observer status on the Joint Planning Advisory Group (JPAG) and following its demise, on the Advisory Group for Medical Education, Training and Staffing (AGMETS).' [31]
26 The nursing links which Mr Gregory identified as existing were:
`a. Meetings of the 4 UK Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) quarterly.
`b. CNO [Wales] has observer status on the Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee (SNMAC). This was, and still is, a Committee to advise the Secretaries of State responsible for the health services in Wales and England on nursing and nursing related issues.' [32]
27 Mr Gregory gave written evidence that the administrative links that existed were:
`a. regular meetings of Health Department Accounting Officers (Permanent Secretaries and heads of the NHS in each country).
`b. informal meetings of the 3 or 4 Health Departments to discuss issues of mutual interest in respect of specialised services.' [33]
28 Mr Gregory also gave evidence of the less formal links that existed between departments:
`On all sides, there has been regular contact with colleagues in the Department of Health face to face, and by letter and telephone. Ad hoc meetings were arranged where it was thought necessary.' [34]
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Footnotes
[30] WIT 0058 0001 Mr Gregory. See also comment by Sir Alan Langlands in Chapter 7 paras 239-240 concerning the responsibility of the DoH for supra regional services
[31] WIT 0058 0001 Mr Gregory
[32] WIT 0058 0002 Mr Gregory
[33] WIT 0058 0002 Mr Gregory
[34] WIT 0058 0002 Mr Gregory