List of district health authorities in England and Wales explained

This is a list of district health authorities in England and Wales which existed from 1982 to 1996 when they were replaced by health authorities. District health authorities took on the functions of area health authorities when the latter were abolished in 1982.[1]

Authorities in Northern Region

District authorities created 1982

Sixteen district health authorities were formed in the Northern Region in 1982, replacing nine area health authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
ClevelandHartlepoolHartlepool
ClevelandNorth TeesStockton-on-Tees
ClevelandSouth TeesLangbaurgh and Middlesbrough
CumbriaEast CumbriaCarlisle, Eden, part of Allerdale (Keswick and Wigton areas)
CumbriaSouth CumbriaBarrow-in-Furness (borough) and South Lakeland
CumbriaWest CumbriaCopeland, part of Allerdale (Cockermouth, Maryport and Workington areas)
DurhamDarlingtonPart of South Durham District 1992
DurhamDurhamChester-le-Street, Durham, and EasingtonPart of North Durham District 1992
DurhamNorth West DurhamDerwentsidePart of North Durham District 1992
DurhamSouth West DurhamSedgefield and Wear ValleyPart of South Durham District 1992
GatesheadGatesheadGateshead (Same area as AHA)
NewcastleNewcastleNewcastle (Same area as AHA)
NorthumberlandNorthumberlandCounty of Northumberland (Same area as AHA)
North TynesideNorth TynesideNorth Tyneside (Same area as AHA)
South TynesideSouth TynesideSouth Tyneside (Same area as AHA)
SunderlandSunderlandSunderland (Same area as AHA)

1992–1994

Reorganisation in 1992 led to a reduction in the number of districts to fourteen:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
East CumbriaCumbriaUnchanged
GatesheadTyne and WearUnchanged
HartlepoolClevelandUnchanged
NewcastleTyne and WearUnchanged
NorthumberlandNorthumberlandUnchanged
North DurhamCounty DurhamDistricts of Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Durham and Easington
North TeesClevelandUnchanged
North TynesideTyne and WearUnchanged
South CumbriaCumbriaUnchanged
South DurhamCounty DurhamDistricts of Darlington, Sedgefield, Teesdale, and Wear Valley
South TeesClevelandUnchanged
South TynesideTyne and WearUnchanged
SunderlandTyne and WearUnchanged
West CumbriaCumbriaUnchanged

1994–1996

In 1994 the Northern region became part of the larger Northern and Yorkshire Region, and there were further amalgamations of districts:

Authorities in Yorkshire Region

District Authorities created 1982

Seventeen district health authorities were formed in the Yorkshire Region in 1982, replacing seven Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
Bradford, North YorkshireAiredaleCraven, part of Bradford (Keighley, Ilkley and Worth Valley areas)Abolished 1992 - part to Bradford, remainder (Craven District) to North Yorkshire
BradfordBradfordPart of Bradford (Baildon, Bingley, Clayton, Denholme, Eccleshill, Idle, Queensbury and Shipley areas)Gained part of abolished Airedale 1992
CalderdaleCalderdaleCalderdale Same area as AHAPart of West Yorkshire District 1993
HumbersideBeverley : renamed East Yorkshire 1982Beverley, East YorkshirePart of East Riding District 1993
HumbersideGrimsbyGreat Grimsby, CleethorpesPart of Grimsby and Scunthorpe District 1993
HumbersideHullHolderness, Kingston upon HullPart of East Riding District 1993
HumbersideScunthorpeBoothferry, Glanford and ScunthorpePart of Grimsby and Scunthorpe District 1993
KirkleesDewsburyPart of Kirklees (Batley, Birstall, Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Mirfield, Spen, and Thornhill areas)Part of West Yorkshire District 1993
KirkleesHuddersfieldPart of Kirklees (Almondbury, Colne Valley, Deighton, Denby Dale, Golcar, Holme Valley, Huddersfield and Kirkburton areasPart of West Yorkshire District 1993
LeedsLeeds EasternPart of Leeds (Barwick and Kippax, Burmantofts, Chapel Allerton, Garforth and Swillington, Halton, Harehills, Hunslet, Middleton, Moortown, North, Rothwell, Roundhay, Seacroft, Wetherby, and Whinmoor areas)Part of Leeds District 1991
LeedsLeeds WesternPart of Leeds (Aireborough, Armley, Beeston, Bramley, Headingley, Horsforth, Kirkstall, Morley, Otley, Pudsey, Wharfedale and Wortley areas)Part of Leeds District 1991
North YorkshireHarrogatePart of Harrogate (Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon areas)Part of North Yorkshire District 1992
North YorkshireNorthallertonRichmondshire, part of Hambleton (Bedale, Stokesley and Thirsk areas), part of Harrogate (Masham area)Part of North Yorkshire District 1992
North YorkshireScarboroughScarborough, part of Ryedale (Malton, Norton and Pickering areas)Part of North Yorkshire District 1992
North YorkshireYorkSelby, York, part of Hambleton (Easingwold area), part of Harrogate (Ouseburn and Poppleton areas), part of Ryedale (Flaxton and Helmsley areas)Part of North Yorkshire District 1992
WakefieldPontefractPart of Wakefield (Castleford, Featherstone, Hemsworth, Normanton, Pontefract areas)Part of Wakefield District 1993
WakefieldWakefieldPart of Wakefield (Horbury, Ossett, Stanley, Wakefield areas)Absorbed Pontefract District 1993

1991–1996

Reorganisation in 1991 to 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to seven:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
BradfordWest YorkshireCity of Bradford
East RidingHumbersideThe Districts of Beverley, East Yorkshire, Holderness and Kingston upon Hull
Grimsby and ScunthorpeHumbersideThe Districts of Boothferry, Cleethorpes, Great Grimsby, Glanford and Scunthorpe
LeedsWest YorkshireThe City of Leeds
North YorkshireNorth YorkshireEntire County
WakefieldWest YorkshireThe City of Wakefield
West YorkshireWest YorkshireCalderdale and Kirklees Metropolitan Boroughs

In 1994 the Yorkshire Region became part of the Yorkshire and Northern Region.

Authorities in Trent Region

District Authorities created 1982

Twelve district health authorities were formed in the Trent Region in 1982, replacing eight Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local government areasChanges
BarnsleyBarnsleyBarnsley (same area as AHA)
DerbyshireNorth DerbyshireBolsover, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, part of High Peak (Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, New Mills, Whaley Bridge areas), part of West Derbyshire (Bakewell and Matlock areas)
DerbyshireSouthern DerbyshireAmber Valley, Derby, Erewash, South Derbyshire, part of West Derbyshire (Ashbourne and Wirksworth areas)
DoncasterDoncasterDoncaster (same area as AHA)
LeicestershireLeicestershireCounty of Leicestershire (same area as AHA)
LincolnshireNorth LincolnshireLincoln, West Lindsey, part of East Lindsey (Mablethorpe, Skegness and Spilsby areas)
LincolnshireSouthern LincolnshireBoston, South Holland, South Kesteven, part of North Kesteven (Sleaford area), part of East Lindsey (Alford, Horncastle and Woodhall Spa areas)
NottinghamshireBassetlawBassetlawPart of North Nottinghamshire District 1992
NottinghamshireCentral NottinghamshireMansfield, Newark, part of Ashfield (all except Hucknall)Part of North Nottinghamshire District 1992
NottinghamshireNottinghamBroxtowe, Gedling, Nottingham, Rushcliffe and part of Ashfield (Hucknall)
RotherhamRotherhamRotherham (same as AHA)
SheffieldSheffieldSheffield (same area as AHA)

1992–1996

Reorganisation in 1992 led to a reduction in the number of districts to eleven by the creation of North Nottinghamshire District by the amalgamation of Bassetlaw and Central Nottinghamshire Districts.

In 1994 Lincolnshire District was formed from North Lincolnshire and South Lincolnshire

Authorities in East Anglia Region

District authorities created 1982

Eight district health authorities were formed in the East Anglian region in 1982, replacing three area health authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
CambridgeshireCambridgeCambridge, East Cambridgeshire, most of South Cambridgeshire (all except Caxton and Papworth areas)
CambridgeshireHuntingdonMost of Huntingdon (all except Norman Cross area), part of South Cambridgeshire (Caxton and Papworth areas)
CambridgeshirePeterboroughPeterborough, part of Huntingdon (Norman Cross area), part of Fenland (Chatteris, March, North Witchford, Whittlesey areas) Part of North West Anglia District 1992
Cambridgeshire, NorfolkWest Norfolk and WisbechPart of Fenland (Wisbech), King's Lynn and West Norfolk, part of Breckland (Swaffham and Thetford rural areas)Part of North West Anglia District 1992
Norfolk, SuffolkGreat Yarmouth and WaveneyGreat Yarmouth, Waveney, part of Broadland (3 parishes), part of South Norfolk (7 parishes)
NorfolkNorwichNorwich, part of Breckland (East Dereham, Mitford & Launditch, Wayland areas), part of North Norfolk (5 parishes), most of South Norfolk (except 7 parishes)
SuffolkEast SuffolkIpswich, Suffolk Coastal, Part of Babergh (Cosford, Hadleigh and Samford areas), part of Mid Suffolk (Eye, Gipping and Stowmarket areas)Part of Suffolk District 1993
Norfolk, SuffolkWest SuffolkPart of Breckland (parish of Thetford), Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury, part of Babergh (Melford and Sudbury areas), part of Mid Suffolk (Hartismere and Thedwastre areas)Part of Suffolk District 1993

1993–1996

Reorganisation in 1992 and 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to six:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
CambridgeCambridgeshireUnchanged
Great Yarmouth and WaveneyNorfolk, SuffolkUnchanged. Abolished 1994 to East Norfolk, Suffolk Districts
HuntingdonCambridgeshireUnchanged
North West AngliaCambridgeshire, NorfolkDistricts of Fenland, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Peterborough; most of Breckland
NorwichNorfolkGained parish of Thetford 1993. Abolished 1994 to East Norfolk District
SuffolkSuffolkEntire County except Waveney District

A further change was made in 1994 (at the same time the Region was merged with Oxford Region to form Anglia and Oxford Region):

Authorities in North West Thames Region

In 1982 the boundary of the region was adjusted when part of the City of Westminster was placed in the North East Thames Region. In 1990 the area was returned to the North West Thames Region. Also in 1982 the borough of Spelthorne, Surrey was received from the South West Thames Region, to which it returned in 1993.

District Authorities created 1982

Fourteen district health authorities were formed in the North West Thames Region in 1982, replacing seven Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
BarnetBarnetBarnet (same area as AHA)
BedfordshireSouth BedfordshireLuton, South BedfordshirePart of Bedfordshire District 1994
BedfordshireNorth BedfordshireMid Bedfordshire, North BedfordshirePart of Bedfordshire District 1994
Brent and HarrowBrentBrentPart of Parkside District 1988 †
Brent and HarrowHarrowHarrowPart of Brent and Harrow District 1993
Ealing, Hammersmith and HounslowEalingEalingPart of Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow District 1993
Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow, SurreyHounslow and SpelthorneHounslow, SpelthornePart to Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow District, part to North West Surrey District 1993
Ealing, Hammersmith and HounslowHammersmith and FulhamHammersmith and FulhamPart of Riverside District 1985‡
HertfordshireEast HertfordshireBroxbourne, East Hertfordshire, Welwyn HatfieldPart of East and North Hertfordshire District 1992
HertfordshireNorth HertfordshireNorth Hertfordshire, StevenagePart of East and North Hertfordshire District 1992
HertfordshireNorth West HertfordshireDacorum, St Albans
HertfordshireSouth West HertfordshireHertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford
HillingdonHillingdonHillingdon
Kensington, Chelsea and WestminsterPaddington and North KensingtonPart of City of Westminster (Paddington area), part of Kensington and Chelsea (North Kensington area)Part of Parkside District 1988 †
Kensington, Chelsea and WestminsterVictoriaPart of City of Westminster (except Paddington area), part of Kensington and Chelsea (except North Kensington area)Part of Riverside District 1985‡

There were changes in the central London districts in 1985 and 1988:

Riverside District was formed in 1985 by the amalgamation of Hammersmith and Fulham and Victoria Districts.

Parkside District was created by the amalgamation of the Paddington & North Kensington and Brent Districts in 1988. In 1990 it was enlarged by gaining part of the City of Westminster from the abolished Bloomsbury District in the neighbouring North East Thames District. Parkside was abolished with part going to Kensington Chelsea and Westminster and part to Brent and Harrow in 1993.

1992–1996

Reorganisation in 1992 to 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to nine:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
BarnetGreater LondonLondon Borough of Barnet (unchanged)
BedfordshireBedfordshireCounty of Bedfordshire
Brent and HarrowGreater LondonLondon Boroughs of Brent, Harrow
Ealing, Hammersmith and HounslowGreater LondonLondon Boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow
East and North HertfordshireHertfordshireDistricts of Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield
HillingdonGreater LondonLondon Borough of Hillingdon (unchanged)
Kensington, Chelsea and WestminsterGreater LondonRoyal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and City of Westminster
North West HertfordshireHertfordshireDistricts of Dacorum and St Albans (unchanged)
South West HertfordshireHertfordshireDistricts of Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford (unchanged)

Authorities In North East Thames Region

In 1982 the boundary of the region was adjusted when part of the City of Westminster was received from in the North West Thames Region. In 1990 the area was returned.

District Authorities created 1982

Fourteen district health authorities were formed in the North East Thames Region in 1982, replacing seven Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
Barking and Havering, EssexBarking, Havering and BrentwoodBarking and Dagenham, Havering, BrentwoodPart to Barking and Havering District, part to South Essex District 1993
EssexBasildon and ThurrockBasildon, ThurrockPart of South Essex District 1993
Camden and Islington, Kensington, Chelsea and WestminsterBloomsburyPart of Camden (Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Pancras areas), part of City of Westminster (Regent's Park and West End areas)Abolished 1990, part to Bloomsbury and Islington District†, part to Parkside District (North West Thames Region)
City and East LondonCity and HackneyCity of London, HackneyPart of East London and The City District 1993
Enfield and HaringeyEnfieldEnfieldPart of New River District 1993
Camden and IslingtonHampsteadPart of Camden (Hampstead area)Part of Camden and Islington District 1993
Enfield and HaringeyHaringeyHaringeyPart of New River District 1993
Camden and IslingtonIslington IslingtonPart of Bloomsbury and Islington District 1990†
EssexMid EssexChelmsford, Maldon, most of Braintree (Braintree and Witham areas)Part of North Essex 1993
City and East LondonNewhamNewhamPart of East London and The City District 1993
EssexNorth East EssexColchester, Tendring, part of Braintree (Halstead area)Part of North Essex District
Redbridge and Waltham ForestRedbridgeRedbridgePart of Redbridge and Waltham Forest 1993
EssexSouthendCastle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-SeaPart of South Essex District 1993
City and East LondonTower HamletsTower HamletsPart of East London and The City District 1993
Redbridge and Waltham ForestWaltham ForestWaltham ForestPart of Redbridge and Waltham Forest 1993
EssexWest EssexEpping Fores, Harlow, UttlesfordPart of North Essex District 1993

† Bloomsbury and Islington District was created in 1990. It consisted of the London Borough of Islington and 11 wards from the London Borough of Camden. It became part of Camden and Islington District in 1993.

1993–1996

Reorganisation in 1990 and 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to seven:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
Barking and HaveringGreater LondonLondon Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering
Camden and IslingtonGreater LondonLondon Boroughs of Camden and Islington
East London and The CityGreater LondonThe City of London & the Temples, and the London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets
New RiverGreater LondonLondon Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey
North EssexEssexDistricts of Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Tendring and Uttlesford
Redbridge and Waltham ForestGreater LondonLondon Boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest
South EssexEssexDistricts of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock

Authorities in South East Thames Region

District Authorities created 1982

Fifteen district health authorities were formed in the South East Thames Region in 1982, replacing five Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
BromleyBromleyBromley (same area as AHA)
East SussexBrightonBrighton, Hove, most of Lewes (all except Seaford)Part of East Sussex District 1993
East SussexEastbourneEastbourne, most of Wealden (all except 2 parishes), part of Lewes (Seaford)Part of East Sussex District 1993
East SussexHastingsHastings, Rother, part of Wealden (2 parishes)Part of East Sussex District 1993
Greenwich and BexleyBexleyBexleyPart of Bexley and Greenwich District 1994
Greenwich and BexleyGreenwichGreenwichPart of Bexley and Greenwich District 1994
KentCanterbury and ThanetCanterbury, Thanet, part of Dover (Eastry area), part of Swale (Faversham area)Part of East Kent District 1994
KentDartford and GraveshamDartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks (former Dartford Rural District area), Part of West Kent District 1994
KentMaidstoneMaidstone, part of Tonbridge and Malling (Malling area)Part of West Kent District 1994
KentMedwayGillingham, Rochester-upon-Medway, part of Swale (Queenborough and Sittingbourne areas)Part of West Kent District 1994
KentSouth East KentAshford, Shepway, part of Dover (Deal, Dover and Sandwich areas)Part of East Kent District 1994
KentTunbridge WellsTunbridge Wells, part of Sevenoaks (Sevenoaks areaPart of West Kent District 1994
Lambeth, Southwark and LewishamCamberwellPart of Southwark (Camberwell area), part of Lambeth (East Lambeth, Gipsy Hill, Herne Hill, Tulse Hill areas)Part of South East London District 1993
Lambeth, Southwark and LewishamLewisham and North SouthwarkLewisham, part of Southwark (Newington, Rotherhithe and Southwark areas)Part of South East London District 1993
Lambeth, Southwark and LewishamWest LambethPart of Lambeth (West Lambeth area)Part of South East London District 1993

1993–1996

Reorganisation in 1993 and 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to eight:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
Bexley and GreenwichGreater LondonBexley, Greenwich
BromleyGreater London(unchanged)
East KentKentAshford, Canterbury, Dover, part of Swale (Faversham area), Shepway, Thanet
East SussexEast SussexEntire County
South East LondonGreater LondonLondon Boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark
West KentKentDartford, Gillingham, Gravesham, Maidstone, Rochester-upon-Medway, Sevenoaks, part of Tonbridge and Malling (Malling area) part of Swale (Queenborough and Sittingbourne areas), Tunbridge Wells

Authorities in South West Thames Region

District Authorities created 1982

Thirteen district health authorities were formed in the South West Thames Region in 1982, replacing five Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
CroydonCroydonCroydon (Same area as AHA)
Kingston and Richmond, SurreyKingston and EsherKingston upon Thames, part of Elmbridge (Esher area) Part of Kingston and Richmond District 1993
Kingston and Richmond; Merton, Sutton and RichmondRichmond, Twickenham and RoehamptonRichmond upon Thames, part of Wandsworth (Putney and Roehampton areas)Part of Kingston and Richmond District 1993
Merton, Sutton and WandsworthMerton and SuttonMerton, SuttonPart of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth District 1994
Merton, Sutton and WandsworthWandsworthPart of Wandsworth (all except Putney and Roehampton areas)Part of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth District 1994
SurreyEast SurreyTandridge, part of Mole Valley (Dorking and Horley areas), part of Reigate and Banstead (Reigate area)
SurreyMid SurreyEpsom and Ewell, part of Reigate and Banstead (Banstead area), part of Elmbridge (Cobham, Oxshott and Stoke D'Abernon areas), part of Mole Valley (Leatherhead area)
SurreyNorth West SurreyRunnymede, Woking, part of Elmbridge (Walton and Weybridge area)
SurreySouth West SurreyMost of Guildford (all except Ash area), part of Waverley (Godalming, Hambledon and Haslemere area)
SurreyWest Surrey and North East HampshireSurrey Heath, part of Guildford (Ash area only), part of Waverley (Farnham area)To North West Surrey District, part to South West Surrey 1993
West SussexChichesterChichester, part of Arun (Arundel and Bognor Regis areas)
West SussexCuckfield and Crawley: renamed Mid Downs 1982Crawley, Mid Sussex, part of Horsham (Horsham area)
West SussexWorthingAdur, Worthing, part of Arun (Littlehampton area)

1993–1996

Reorganisation in 1993 and 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to ten:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
ChichesterWest SussexUnchanged
CroydonGreater LondonUnchanged
East SurreySurreyUnchanged
Kingston and RichmondGreater London, SurreyKingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, part of Elmbridge (Esher area), part of Wandsworth (Putney and Roehampton areas)
Merton, Sutton and WandsworthGreater LondonMerton, Sutton, Part of Wandsworth (all except Putney and Roehampton areas)
Mid DownsWest SussexUnchanged
Mid SurreySurreyUnchanged
North West SurreySurreyUnchanged
South West SurreySurreyDistricts of Guildford and Waverley
WorthingWest SussexUnchanged

Authorities in Wessex Region

District Authorities created 1982

Ten district health authorities were formed in the Wessex Region in 1982, replacing four Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
DorsetEast DorsetBournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Purbeck, WimbornePart of Dorset District in 1992
DorsetWest DorsetNorth Dorset, West Dorset, Weymouth and PortlandPart of Dorset District 1992
HampshireBasingstoke and North HampshireBasingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor, part of East Hampshire (Alton area)Part of North and Mid Hampshire District 1994
HampshireSouthampton and South West HampshireNew Forest, Southampton, part of Eastleigh (rural area), part of Test Valley (Romsey area)
HampshireWinchesterPart of Test Valley (Andover and Stockbridge areas), most of Winchester (all except Droxford area), part of Eastleigh (Eastleigh area)Part of North and Mid Hampshire District 1994
HampshirePortsmouth and South East HampshireFareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, part of East Hampshire (Petersfield area)
Isle of WightIsle of WightCounty of Isle of Wight (same area as AHA)
WiltshireBathWest Wiltshire, part of North Wiltshire (Calne, Chippenham, Malmesbury areas), part of Kennet (Devizes area)Part of Bath and Wiltshire District 1994
WiltshireSalisburySalisburyPart of Bath and Wiltshire District 1994
WiltshireSwindonThamesdown, part of Kennet (Marlborough, Pewsey and Ramsbury areas), part of North Wiltshire (Cricklade and Wootton Bassett areas)Part of Bath and Wiltshire District 1994

1994–1996

Reorganisation in 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to six:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
Bath and WiltshireWiltshireEntire County
DorsetDorsetEntire County
Isle of WightIsle of WightEntire County (unchanged)
North and Mid HampshireHampshireDistricts of Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, and Rushmoor; part of East Hampshire (Alton area); part of Test Valley (Romsey area); most of Winchester (except 3 parishes); part of Eastleigh (Eastleigh area)
Portsmouth and South East HampshireHampshireUnchanged
Southampton and South West HampshireHampshireUnchanged

Also in 1994, the Wessex Region was merged with the South West Region to form the South and West Region.

Authorities in Oxford Region

District Authorities created 1982

Eight district health authorities were formed in the Wessex Region in 1982, replacing four Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
Berkshire, BuckinghamshireEast BerkshireBracknell, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, part of South Bucks (part formerly in Slough Rural District)Part of Berkshire District, Buckinghamshire District 1993
Berkshire, OxfordshireWest BerkshireNewbury, Reading, Wokingham, part of South Oxfordshire (Henley area)Part of Berkshire District, Oxfordshire District 1993
BuckinghamshireAylesbury: renamed Aylesbury Vale 1982Aylesbury ValePart of Buckinghamshire District 1993
BuckinghamshireMilton KeynesMilton KeynesPart of Buckinghamshire District 1993
BuckinghamshireWycombeChiltern, Wycombe, part of South Bucks (Beaconsfield area)Part of Buckinghamshire District 1993
NorthamptonshireKetteringCorby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, WellingboroughPart of Northamptonshire District 1994
NorthamptonshireNorthamptonDaventry, Northampton, South NorthamptonshirePart of Northamptonshire District 1994
OxfordshireOxfordshireCherwell, Oxford, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire, part of South Oxfordshire (Bullingdon, Thame and Wallingford areas)

1993–1996

Reorganisation in 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to four:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshireEntire County
BerkshireBerkshireEntire County
NorthamptonshireNorthamptonshireEntire County
OxfordshireOxfordshireEntire County

In 1994 the Oxford Region was merged with the East Anglia Region to form Anglia and Oxford Region.

Authorities in South Western Region

District Authorities created 1982

Eight district health authorities were formed in the Wessex Region in 1982, replacing four Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
AvonBristol and WestonBath, Wansdyke, part of Woodspring (Axbridge and Weston-super-Mare areas), part of Bristol (Bedminster, Brislington, Clifton, Windmill Hill areas)Part of Bristol and District 1991
GloucestershireCheltenham and DistrictCheltenham, part of Cotswold (Cirencester, Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold areas), most of Tewkesbury (except area formerly in Gloucester Rural DistrictPart of Gloucestershire District 1991
Cornwall and Isles of ScillyCornwall and Isles of ScillyCornwall and Isles of Scilly (Same area as AHA)
DevonExeterEast Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, part of West Devon (Okehampton area), part of Teignbridge (area formerly in St Thomas Rural District)Part of Exeter and North Devon District 1993
AvonFrenchayKingswood, part of Northavon (Chipping Sodbury area), part of Bristol (Easton, Eastville, St George areas)Part of Bristol and District 1991
GloucestershireGloucesterForest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud, part of Cotswold (Tetbury area)Part of Gloucestershire District 1991
DevonNorth DevonNorth Devon, TorridgePart of Exeter and North Devon District 1993
DevonPlymouthPlymouth, part of South Hams (Kingsbridge, Salcombe areas)Part of Plymouth and Torbay District 1993
SomersetSomersetSomerset (entire county) Same area as AHA
AvonSouthmeadPart of Bristol (Avonmouth, Henbury, Horfield, Redland, Southmead, Westbury-on-Trym areas), part of Northavon (Thornbury area), part of Woodspring (Clevedon and Portishead areas)Part of Bristol and District 1991
DevonTorbayTorbay, part of Teignbridge (except part in Exeter District), part of South Hams (Dartmouth, Totnes areas)Part of Plymouth and Torbay District 1993

1993–1996

Reorganisation in 1991 and 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to five:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
Bristol and DistrictAvonEntire County
Cornwall and Isles of ScillyCornwall, Isles of ScillyUnchanged
Exeter and North DevonDevonDistricts of East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge; most of West Devon (except Tavistock areas); part of Teignbridge (the area formerly in St Thomas Rural District)
GloucestershireGloucestershireEntire County
Plymouth and TorbayDevonDistricts of Plymouth, South Hams, and Torbay, part of Teignbridge (Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dawlish, urban districts and the urban and rural districts of Newton Abbot); part of West Devon (the former urban and rural districts of Tavistock)
SomersetSomersetUnchanged

In 1994 the South West Region was merged with the Wessex Region to form the South and West Region.

Authorities in West Midlands Region

District Authorities created 1982

Twenty-two district health authorities were formed in the West Midlands Region in 1982, replacing eleven Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Changes
BirminghamCentral BirminghamPart of Birmingham (Edgbaston, Fox Hollies, Hall Green, Harborne, Quinton, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill areas)Absorbed by South Birmingham District 1991
BirminghamEast BirminghamPart of Birmingham (Acock's Green, Hodge Hill, Shard End, Sheldon, Small Heath, Washwood Heath, Yardley areas)Absorbed by North Birmingham District 1994
BirminghamNorth BirminghamPart of Birmingham (Erdington, Kingsbury, Stockland Green, Sutton Coldfield areas)Absorbed East Birmingham, West Birmingham Districts 1994
BirminghamSouth BirminghamPart of Birmingham (Bartley Green, Billesley, Bourneville, Brandwood, King's Norton, Longbridge, Moseley, Northfield, Selly Oak, and Weoley areas)Absorbed Central Birmingham 1991
BirminghamWest BirminghamPart of Birmingham (Aston, Handsworth, Kingstanding, Ladywood, Oscott, Perry Barr, Sandwell, Soho areas)Absorbed by North Birmingham District 1994
CoventryCoventryCoventry (Same area as AHA)
DudleyDudleyDudley (Same areas as AHA)
Hereford and WorcesterBromsgrove and RedditchBromsgrove, RedditchPart of North Worcestershire District 1992
Hereford and WorcesterHerefordshireHereford, South Herefordshire, part of Leominster (Kington, Leominster and Wigmore areas), part of Malvern Hills (Bromyard and Ledbury areas)
Hereford and WorcesterKidderminster and DistrictWyre Forest, part of Leominster (Tenbury area), part of Wychavon (1 parish)Part of North Worcestershire District 1992
Hereford and WorcesterWorcester and DistrictWorcester, part of Malvern Hills (Malvern, Martley, Upton upon Severn areas)
SandwellSandwellSandwell (Same area as AHA)
ShropshireShropshireShropshire (Same area as AHA)
SolihullSolihullSolihull (Same area as AHA)
StaffordshireMid-StaffordshireCannock Chase, South Staffordshire, StaffordPart of South Staffordshire District 1994
StaffordshireNorth StaffordshireNewcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent
StaffordshireSouth-East StaffordshireEast Staffordshire, Lichfield, TamworthPart of South Staffordshire District 1994
WalsallWalsallWalsall (Same area as AHA)
WarwickshireNorth WarwickshireNorth Warwickshire, Nuneaton and BedworthPart of North East Warwickshire District 1991†
WarwickshireRugbyRugbyPart of North East Warwickshire District 1991†
WarwickshireSouth WarwickshireStratford-on-Avon, WarwickPart of Warwickshire District 1993
WolverhamptonWolverhamptonWolverhampton (Same area as AHA)

† North East Warwickshire District merged with South Warwickshire District to form Warwickshire District in 1993.

1991–1996

Reorganisation in 1991 to 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to fifteen:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
CoventryWest MidlandsCoventry (unchanged)
DudleyWest MidlandsDudley (unchanged)
HerefordshireHereford and Worcester(unchanged)
North BirminghamWest MidlandsPart of Birmingham (areas formerly in East Birmingham, North Birmingham, West Birmingham Districts)
North StaffordshireStaffordshireNewcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent
North WorcestershireHereford and WorcesterDistricts of Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest; part of Leominster (Tenbury area), one parish in Wychavon
SandwellWest MidlandsSandwell (unchanged)
ShropshireShropshireEntire County (unchanged)
SolihullWest MidlandsSolihull (unchanged)
South BirminghamWest MidlandsPart of Birmingham (areas fortmerly in Central Birmingham, South Birmingham Districts)
South StaffordshireStaffordshire
WalsallWest MidlandsWalsall (Unchanged)
WarwickshireWarwickshireEntire County
WolverhamptonWest MidlandsWolverhampton (Unchanged)
Worcester and DistrictHereford and WorcesterUnchanged

Authorities in Mersey Region

District Authorities created 1982

Ten district health authorities were formed in the Mersey Region in 1982, replacing six Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
CheshireChesterChester, part of Ellesmere Port and Neston (Ellesmere Port area)
CheshireCreweCrewe and Nantwich, part of Congleton (Alsager, Middlewich and Sandbach areas), most of Vale Royal (all except part formerly in Runcorn Rural District)Part of South and East Cheshire District 1993
CheshireHaltonHalton, part of Vale Royal (part of the area formerly in Runcorn Rural District)Part of North Cheshire District 1993
CheshireMacclesfieldMacclesfield, part of Congleton (Congleton area)Part of South and East Cheshire District 1993
CheshireWarringtonWarrington, part of Vale Royal (part of the area formerly in Runcorn Rural District)part of North Cheshire District 1993
Cheshire, WirralWirralWirral, part of Ellesmere Port and Neston (Neston area)
St Helens and KnowsleySt Helens and KnowsleySt Helens, Knowsley (Same area as AHA)
LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool (Same area as AHA)
SeftonNorth Sefton: renamed Southport and FormbyPart of Sefton (Southport, Formby areas)Part of Sefton District 1993
SeftonSouth Sefton (Merseyside)Part of Sefton (Bootle, Crosby, Litherland areas) Part of Sefton District 1993

1993–1996

Reorganisation in 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to seven:

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
ChesterCheshireUnchanged
LiverpoolMerseysideUnchanged
North CheshireHalton and Warrington; part of Vale Royal (the part formerly in Runcorn Rural District)
SeftonMerseysideSefton
St Helens and KnowsleyMerseysideUnchanged
South and East CheshireCheshireCongleton, Crewe and Nantwich and Macclesfield; Vale Royal (except part in North Cheshire)
WirralCheshire, MerseysideUnchanged

In 1994 the Mersey Region was merged with the North Western Region to form the North West Region.

Authorities in North Western Region

District Authorities created 1982

Nineteen district health authorities were formed in the North Western Region in 1982, replacing eleven Area Health Authorities:

AHA 1974–82District Health Authority 1982Local Government AreasChanges
BoltonBoltonBolton (Same area as AHA)
BuryBuryBury (Same area as AHA)Part of Bury and Rochdale District 1994
LancashireBlackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Blackburn, Hyndburn, Ribble ValleyPart of East Lancashire District 1994
LancashireBlackpool, Wyre and FyldeBlackpool, Fylde, WyrePart of North West Lancashire District 1994
LancashireBurnley, Pendle and RossendaleBurnley, Pendle, most of Rossendale (Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall areas)Part of East Lancashire District 1994
LancashireChorley and South RibbleChorley, South RibblePart of South Lancashire District 1994
LancashireLancasterLancasterPart of Morecambe Bay District 1994
LancashirePrestonPrestonPart of North West Lancashire District 1994
LancashireWest LancashireWest LancashirePart of South Lancashire District 1994
ManchesterCentral ManchesterPart of Manchester (Ardwick, Fallowfield, Gorton, Hulme, Levenshulme, Longsight, Moss Side, and Rusholme areas)Part of Manchester District 1994
ManchesterNorth ManchesterPart of Manchester (Blackley, Cheetham, Crumpsall, Harpurhey, Moston, and Newton Heath areas)Part of Manchester District 1994
ManchesterSouth ManchesterPart of Manchester (Baguley, Chorlton, Didsbury, Northenden, Whalley Range, Withington areas)Part of Manchester District 1994
OldhamOldhamOldham (same area as AHA)Part of West Pennine District 1994
Rochdale, LancashireRochdaleRochdale, part Rossendale (Whitworth area)Part of Bury and Rochdale District 1994
SalfordSalfordSalford (same area as AHA)Part of Salford and Trafford District 1994
StockportStockportStockport (same area as AHA)
Tameside, DerbyshireTameside and GlossopTameside, part of High Peak (Glossop and Tintwistle areas)Part of West Pennine District 1994
TraffordTraffordTrafford (same area as AHA)Part of Salford and Trafford District 1994
WiganWiganWigan (Same area as AHA)

1994–1996

Reorganisation in 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to :

District Health AuthorityCountyArea
BoltonGreater ManchesterBolton (unchanged)
Bury and RochdaleGreater Manchester, LancashireBury, Rochdale, part Rossendale (Whitworth area)
East LancashireLancashireBlackburn, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Pendle, most of Rossendale (Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall areas)
ManchesterGreater ManchesterManchester
Morecambe BayLancashire, CumbriaBarrow-in-Furness, Lancaster, South Lakeland
North West LancashireLancashire
South LancashireLancashireChorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire
Salford and TraffordGreater ManchesterSalford, Trafford
StockportGreater ManchesterUnchanged
West PennineGreater Manchester, DerbyshireOldham, Tameside, part of High Peak (Glossop and Tintwistle areas)

In 1994 the North Western Region was merged with the Mersey Region to form the North West Region.

Authorities in Wales

District Authorities created 1982

Nine district health authorities were formed in Wales in 1982. There were no Area Health Authorities in Wales, the entire principality being under the jurisdiction of the Welsh Office.

CountyDistrict Health Authority 1982
ClwydClwyd
DyfedEast Dyfed
DyfedPembrokeshire
GwentGwent
GwyneddGwynedd
Mid GlamorganMid Glamorgan
PowysPowys
South GlamorganSouth Glamorgan
West GlamorganWest Glamorgan

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Health Services Act 1980 . . 29 July 2024 .