District Health Authorities were administrative units of the National Health Service in England and Wales from 1982 to 1996.
The districts were a second tier below the health regions. They replaced the Area Health Authorities (which generally corresponded to non-metropolitan counties, metropolitan boroughs or groups of London Boroughs) and the District Management Teams that ran the hospitals on a day to day basis. These two layers of administration had been introduced in 1974.[1]
The Districts were reorganised on a number of occasions in the 1990s, and were abolished in 1996, when new single-tier Health Authorities replaced both Districts and Regions.
Sixteen district health authorities were formed in the Northern Region in 1982, replacing nine Area Health Authorities:
Reorganisation in 1992 led to a reduction in the number of districts to fourteen:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| East Cumbria | Cumbria | Unchanged |
| Gateshead | Tyne and Wear | Unchanged |
| Hartlepool | Cleveland | Unchanged |
| Newcastle | Tyne and Wear | Unchanged |
| Northumberland | Northumberland | Unchanged |
| North Durham | County Durham | Districts of Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Durham and Easington |
| North Tees | Cleveland | Unchanged |
| North Tyneside | Tyne and Wear | Unchanged |
| South Cumbria | Cumbria | Unchanged |
| South Durham | County Durham | Districts of Darlington, Sedgefield, Teesdale, and Wear Valley |
| South Tees | Cleveland | Unchanged |
| South Tyneside | Tyne and Wear | Unchanged |
| Sunderland | Tyne and Wear | Unchanged |
| West Cumbria | Cumbria | Unchanged |
In 1994 the Northern region became part of the larger Northern and Yorkshire Region, and there were further amalgamations of districts:
Seventeen district health authorities were formed in the Yorkshire Region in 1982, replacing seven Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford, North Yorkshire | Airedale | Craven, part of Bradford (Keighley, Ilkley and Worth Valley areas) | Abolished 1992 - part to Bradford, remainder (Craven District) to North Yorkshire |
| Bradford | Bradford | Part of Bradford (Baildon, Bingley, Clayton, Denholme, Eccleshill, Idle, Queensbury and Shipley areas) | Gained part of abolished Airedale 1992 |
| Calderdale | Calderdale | Calderdale Same area as AHA | Part of West Yorkshire District 1993 |
| Humberside | Beverley : renamed East Yorkshire 1982 | Beverley, East Yorkshire | Part of East Riding District 1993 |
| Humberside | Grimsby | Great Grimsby, Cleethorpes | Part of Grimsby and Scunthorpe District 1993 |
| Humberside | Hull | Holderness, Kingston upon Hull | Part of East Riding District 1993 |
| Humberside | Scunthorpe | Boothferry, Glanford and Scunthorpe | Part of Grimsby and Scunthorpe District 1993 |
| Kirklees | Dewsbury | Part of Kirklees (Batley, Birstall, Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Mirfield, Spen, and Thornhill areas) | Part of West Yorkshire District 1993 |
| Kirklees | Huddersfield | Part of Kirklees (Almondbury, Colne Valley, Deighton, Denby Dale, Golcar, Holme Valley, Huddersfield and Kirkburton areas | Part of West Yorkshire District 1993 |
| Leeds | Leeds Eastern | Part 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 |
| Leeds | Leeds Western | Part of Leeds (Aireborough, Armley, Beeston, Bramley, Headingley, Horsforth, Kirkstall, Morley, Otley, Pudsey, Wharfedale and Wortley areas) | Part of Leeds District 1991 |
| North Yorkshire | Harrogate | Part of Harrogate (Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon areas) | Part of North Yorkshire District 1992 |
| North Yorkshire | Northallerton | Richmondshire, part of Hambleton (Bedale, Stokesley and Thirsk areas), part of Harrogate (Masham area) | Part of North Yorkshire District 1992 |
| North Yorkshire | Scarborough | Scarborough, part of Ryedale (Malton, Norton and Pickering areas) | Part of North Yorkshire District 1992 |
| North Yorkshire | York | Selby, 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 |
| Wakefield | Pontefract | Part of Wakefield (Castleford, Featherstone, Hemsworth, Normanton, Pontefract areas) | Part of Wakefield District 1993 |
| Wakefield | Wakefield | Part of Wakefield (Horbury, Ossett, Stanley, Wakefield areas) | Absorbed Pontefract District 1993 |
Reorganisation in 1991 to 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to seven:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bradford | West Yorkshire | City of Bradford |
| East Riding | Humberside | The Districts of Beverley, East Yorkshire, Holderness and Kingston upon Hull |
| Grimsby and Scunthorpe | Humberside | The Districts of Boothferry, Cleethorpes, Great Grimsby, Glanford and Scunthorpe |
| Leeds | West Yorkshire | The City of Leeds |
| North Yorkshire | North Yorkshire | Entire County |
| Wakefield | West Yorkshire | The City of Wakefield |
| West Yorkshire | West Yorkshire | Calderdale and Kirklees Metropolitan Boroughs |
In 1994 the Yorkshire Region became part of the Yorkshire and Northern Region.
Twelve district health authorities were formed in the Trent Region in 1982, replacing eight Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local government areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnsley | Barnsley | Barnsley (same area as AHA) | |
| Derbyshire | North Derbyshire | Bolsover, 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) | |
| Derbyshire | Southern Derbyshire | Amber Valley, Derby, Erewash, South Derbyshire, part of West Derbyshire (Ashbourne and Wirksworth areas) | |
| Doncaster | Doncaster | Doncaster (same area as AHA) | |
| Leicestershire | Leicestershire | County of Leicestershire (same area as AHA) | |
| Lincolnshire | North Lincolnshire | Lincoln, West Lindsey, part of East Lindsey (Mablethorpe, Skegness and Spilsby areas) | |
| Lincolnshire | Southern Lincolnshire | Boston, South Holland, South Kesteven, part of North Kesteven (Sleaford area), part of East Lindsey (Alford, Horncastle and Woodhall Spa areas) | |
| Nottinghamshire | Bassetlaw | Bassetlaw | Part of North Nottinghamshire District 1992 |
| Nottinghamshire | Central Nottinghamshire | Mansfield, Newark, part of Ashfield (all except Hucknall) | Part of North Nottinghamshire District 1992 |
| Nottinghamshire | Nottingham | Broxtowe, Gedling, Nottingham, Rushcliffe and part of Ashfield (Hucknall) | |
| Rotherham | Rotherham | Rotherham (same as AHA) | |
| Sheffield | Sheffield | Sheffield (same area as AHA) |
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
Eight district health authorities were formed in the East Anglian Region in 1982, replacing three Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridgeshire | Cambridge | Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, most of South Cambridgeshire (all except Caxton and Papworth areas) | |
| Cambridgeshire | Huntingdon | Most of Huntingdon (all except Norman Cross area), part of South Cambridgeshire (Caxton and Papworth areas) | |
| Cambridgeshire | Peterborough | Peterborough, part of Huntingdon (Norman Cross area), part of Fenland (Chatteris, March, North Witchford, Whittlesey areas) | Part of North West Anglia District 1992 |
| Cambridgeshire, Norfolk | West Norfolk and Wisbech | Part 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, Suffolk | Great Yarmouth and Waveney | Great Yarmouth, Waveney, part of Broadland (3 parishes), part of South Norfolk (7 parishes) | |
| Norfolk | Norwich | Norwich, part of Breckland (East Dereham, Mitford & Launditch, Wayland areas), part of North Norfolk (5 parishes), most of South Norfolk (except 7 parishes) | |
| Suffolk | East Suffolk | Ipswich, 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, Suffolk | West Suffolk | Part 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 |
Reorganisation in 1992 and 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to six:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | Cambridgeshire | Unchanged |
| Great Yarmouth and Waveney | Norfolk, Suffolk | Unchanged. Abolished 1994 to East Norfolk, Suffolk Districts |
| Huntingdon | Cambridgeshire | Unchanged |
| North West Anglia | Cambridgeshire, Norfolk | Districts of Fenland, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Peterborough; most of Breckland |
| Norwich | Norfolk | Gained parish of Thetford 1993. Abolished 1994 to East Norfolk District |
| Suffolk | Suffolk | Entire 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):
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.
Fourteen district health authorities were formed in the North West Thames Region in 1982, replacing seven Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnet | Barnet | Barnet (same area as AHA) | |
| Bedfordshire | South Bedfordshire | Luton, South Bedfordshire | Part of Bedfordshire District 1994 |
| Bedfordshire | North Bedfordshire | Mid Bedfordshire, North Bedfordshire | Part of Bedfordshire District 1994 |
| Brent and Harrow | Brent | Brent | Part of Parkside District 1988 † |
| Brent and Harrow | Harrow | Harrow | Part of Brent and Harrow District 1993 |
| Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow | Ealing | Ealing | Part of Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow District 1993 |
| Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow, Surrey | Hounslow and Spelthorne | Hounslow, Spelthorne | Part to Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow District, part to North West Surrey District 1993 |
| Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow | Hammersmith and Fulham | Hammersmith and Fulham | Part of Riverside District 1985‡ |
| Hertfordshire | East Hertfordshire | Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, Welwyn Hatfield | Part of East and North Hertfordshire District 1992 |
| Hertfordshire | North Hertfordshire | North Hertfordshire, Stevenage | Part of East and North Hertfordshire District 1992 |
| Hertfordshire | North West Hertfordshire | Dacorum, St Albans | |
| Hertfordshire | South West Hertfordshire | Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford | |
| Hillingdon | Hillingdon | Hillingdon | |
| Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster | Paddington and North Kensington | Part of City of Westminster (Paddington area), part of Kensington and Chelsea (North Kensington area) | Part of Parkside District 1988 † |
| Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster | Victoria | Part 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.
Reorganisation in 1992 to 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to nine:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Barnet | Greater London | London Borough of Barnet (unchanged) |
| Bedfordshire | Bedfordshire | County of Bedfordshire |
| Brent and Harrow | Greater London | London Boroughs of Brent, Harrow |
| Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow | Greater London | London Boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow |
| East and North Hertfordshire | Hertfordshire | Districts of Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield |
| Hillingdon | Greater London | London Borough of Hillingdon (unchanged) |
| Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster | Greater London | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and City of Westminster |
| North West Hertfordshire | Hertfordshire | Districts of Dacorum and St Albans (unchanged) |
| South West Hertfordshire | Hertfordshire | Districts of Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford (unchanged) |
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.
Fourteen district health authorities were formed in the North East Thames Region in 1982, replacing seven Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barking and Havering, Essex | Barking, Havering and Brentwood | Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Brentwood | Part to Barking and Havering District, part to South Essex District 1993 |
| Essex | Basildon and Thurrock | Basildon, Thurrock | Part of South Essex District 1993 |
| Camden and Islington, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster | Bloomsbury | Part 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 London | City and Hackney | City of London, Hackney | Part of East London and The City District 1993 |
| Enfield and Haringey | Enfield | Enfield | Part of New River District 1993 |
| Camden and Islington | Hampstead | Part of Camden (Hampstead area) | Part of Camden and Islington District 1993 |
| Enfield and Haringey | Haringey | Haringey | Part of New River District 1993 |
| Camden and Islington | Islington | Islington | Part of Bloomsbury and Islington District 1990† |
| Essex | Mid Essex | Chelmsford, Maldon, most of Braintree (Braintree and Witham areas) | Part of North Essex 1993 |
| City and East London | Newham | Newham | Part of East London and The City District 1993 |
| Essex | North East Essex | Colchester, Tendring, part of Braintree (Halstead area) | Part of North Essex District |
| Redbridge and Waltham Forest | Redbridge | Redbridge | Part of Redbridge and Waltham Forest 1993 |
| Essex | Southend | Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea | Part of South Essex District 1993 |
| City and East London | Tower Hamlets | Tower Hamlets | Part of East London and The City District 1993 |
| Redbridge and Waltham Forest | Waltham Forest | Waltham Forest | Part of Redbridge and Waltham Forest 1993 |
| Essex | West Essex | Epping Forest, Harlow, Uttlesford | Part 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.
Reorganisation in 1990 and 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to seven:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Barking and Havering | Greater London | London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering |
| Camden and Islington | Greater London | London Boroughs of Camden and Islington |
| East London and The City | Greater London | The City of London & the Temples, and the London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets |
| New River | Greater London | London Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey |
| North Essex | Essex | Districts of Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Tendring and Uttlesford |
| Redbridge and Waltham Forest | Greater London | London Boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest |
| South Essex | Essex | Districts of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock |
Fifteen district health authorities were formed in the South East Thames Region in 1982, replacing five Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bromley | Bromley | Bromley (same area as AHA) | |
| East Sussex | Brighton | Brighton, Hove, most of Lewes (all except Seaford) | Part of East Sussex District 1993 |
| East Sussex | Eastbourne | Eastbourne, most of Wealden (all except 2 parishes), part of Lewes (Seaford) | Part of East Sussex District 1993 |
| East Sussex | Hastings | Hastings, Rother, part of Wealden (2 parishes) | Part of East Sussex District 1993 |
| Greenwich and Bexley | Bexley | Bexley | Part of Bexley and Greenwich District 1994 |
| Greenwich and Bexley | Greenwich | Greenwich | Part of Bexley and Greenwich District 1994 |
| Kent | Canterbury and Thanet | Canterbury, Thanet, part of Dover (Eastry area), part of Swale (Faversham area) | Part of East Kent District 1994 |
| Kent | Dartford and Gravesham | Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks (former Dartford Rural District area), | Part of West Kent District 1994 |
| Kent | Maidstone | Maidstone, part of Tonbridge and Malling (Malling area) | Part of West Kent District 1994 |
| Kent | Medway | Gillingham, Rochester-upon-Medway, part of Swale (Queenborough and Sittingbourne areas) | Part of West Kent District 1994 |
| Kent | South East Kent | Ashford, Shepway, part of Dover (Deal, Dover and Sandwich areas) | Part of East Kent District 1994 |
| Kent | Tunbridge Wells | Tunbridge Wells, part of Sevenoaks (Sevenoaks area | Part of West Kent District 1994 |
| Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham | Camberwell | Part 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 Lewisham | Lewisham and North Southwark | Lewisham, part of Southwark (Newington, Rotherhithe and Southwark areas) | Part of South East London District 1993 |
| Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham | West Lambeth | Part of Lambeth (West Lambeth area) | Part of South East London District 1993 |
Reorganisation in 1993 and 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to eight:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bexley and Greenwich | Greater London | Bexley, Greenwich |
| Bromley | Greater London | (unchanged) |
| East Kent | Kent | Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, part of Swale (Faversham area), Shepway, Thanet |
| East Sussex | East Sussex | Entire County |
| South East London | Greater London | London Boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark |
| West Kent | Kent | Dartford, Gillingham, Gravesham, Maidstone, Rochester-upon-Medway, Sevenoaks, part of Tonbridge and Malling (Malling area) part of Swale (Queenborough and Sittingbourne areas), Tunbridge Wells |
Thirteen district health authorities were formed in the South West Thames Region in 1982, replacing five Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croydon | Croydon | Croydon (Same area as AHA) | |
| Kingston and Richmond, Surrey | Kingston and Esher | Kingston upon Thames, part of Elmbridge (Esher area) | Part of Kingston and Richmond District 1993 |
| Kingston and Richmond; Merton, Sutton and Richmond | Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton | Richmond upon Thames, part of Wandsworth (Putney and Roehampton areas) | Part of Kingston and Richmond District 1993 |
| Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth | Merton and Sutton | Merton, Sutton | Part of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth District 1994 |
| Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth | Wandsworth | Part of Wandsworth (all except Putney and Roehampton areas) | Part of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth District 1994 |
| Surrey | East Surrey | Tandridge, part of Mole Valley (Dorking and Horley areas), part of Reigate and Banstead (Reigate area) | |
| Surrey | Mid Surrey | Epsom 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) | |
| Surrey | North West Surrey | Runnymede, Woking, part of Elmbridge (Walton and Weybridge area) | |
| Surrey | South West Surrey | Most of Guildford (all except Ash area), part of Waverley (Godalming, Hambledon and Haslemere area) | |
| Surrey | West Surrey and North East Hampshire | Surrey Heath, part of Guildford (Ash area only), part of Waverley (Farnham area) | To North West Surrey District, part to South West Surrey 1993 |
| West Sussex | Chichester | Chichester, part of Arun (Arundel and Bognor Regis areas) | |
| West Sussex | Cuckfield and Crawley: renamed Mid Downs 1982 | Crawley, Mid Sussex, part of Horsham (Horsham area) | |
| West Sussex | Worthing | Adur, Worthing, part of Arun (Littlehampton area) |
Reorganisation in 1993 and 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to ten:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Chichester | West Sussex | Unchanged |
| Croydon | Greater London | Unchanged |
| East Surrey | Surrey | Unchanged |
| Kingston and Richmond | Greater London, Surrey | Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, part of Elmbridge (Esher area), part of Wandsworth (Putney and Roehampton areas) |
| Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth | Greater London | Merton, Sutton, Part of Wandsworth (all except Putney and Roehampton areas) |
| Mid Downs | West Sussex | Unchanged |
| Mid Surrey | Surrey | Unchanged |
| North West Surrey | Surrey | Unchanged |
| South West Surrey | Surrey | Districts of Guildford and Waverley |
| Worthing | West Sussex | Unchanged |
Ten district health authorities were formed in the Wessex Region in 1982, replacing four Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorset | East Dorset | Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Purbeck, Wimborne | Part of Dorset District in 1992 |
| Dorset | West Dorset | North Dorset, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland | Part of Dorset District 1992 |
| Hampshire | Basingstoke and North Hampshire | Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor, part of East Hampshire (Alton area) | Part of North and Mid Hampshire District 1994 |
| Hampshire | Southampton and South West Hampshire | New Forest, Southampton, part of Eastleigh (rural area), part of Test Valley (Romsey area) | |
| Hampshire | Winchester | Part 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 |
| Hampshire | Portsmouth and South East Hampshire | Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, part of East Hampshire (Petersfield area) | |
| Isle of Wight | Isle of Wight | County of Isle of Wight (same area as AHA) | |
| Wiltshire | Bath | West Wiltshire, part of North Wiltshire (Calne, Chippenhem, Malmesbury areas), part of Kennet (Devizes area) | Part of Bath and Wiltshire District 1994 |
| Wiltshire | Salisbury | Salisbury | Part of Bath and Wiltshire District 1994 |
| Wiltshire | Swindon | Thamesdown, part of Kennet (Marlborough, Pewsey and Ramsbury areas), part of North Wiltshire (Cricklade and Wootton Bassett areas) | Part of Bath and Wiltshire District 1994 |
Reorganisation in 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to six:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bath and Wiltshire | Wiltshire | Entire County |
| Dorset | Dorset | Entire County |
| Isle of Wight | Isle of Wight | Entire County (unchanged) |
| North and Mid Hampshire | Hampshire | Districts 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 Hampshire | Hampshire | Unchanged |
| Southampton and South West Hampshire | Hampshire | Unchanged |
Also in 1994, the Wessex Region was merged with the South West Region to form the South and West Region.
Eight district health authorities were formed in the Wessex Region in 1982, replacing four Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire, Buckinghamshire | East Berkshire | Bracknell, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, part of South Bucks (part formerly in Slough Rural District) | Part of Berkshire District, Buckinghamshire District 1993 |
| Berkshire, Oxfordshire | West Berkshire | Newbury, Reading, Wokingham, part of South Oxfordshire (Henley area) | Part of Berkshire District, Oxfordshire District 1993 |
| Buckinghamshire | Aylesbury: renamed Aylesbury Vale 1982 | Aylesbury Vale | Part of Buckinghamshire District 1993 |
| Buckinghamshire | Milton Keynes | Milton Keynes | Part of Buckinghamshire District 1993 |
| Buckinghamshire | Wycombe | Chiltern, Wycombe, part of South Bucks (Beaconsfield area) | Part of Buckinghamshire District 1993 |
| Northamptonshire | Kettering | Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Wellingborough | Part of Northamptonshire District 1994 |
| Northamptonshire | Northampton | Daventry, Northampton, South Northamptonshire | Part of Northamptonshire District 1994 |
| Oxfordshire | Oxfordshire | Cherwell, Oxford, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire, part of South Oxfordshire (Bullingdon, Thame and Wallingford areas) |
Reorganisation in 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to four:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Buckinghamshire | Buckinghamshire | Entire County |
| Berkshire | Berkshire | Entire County |
| Northamptonshire | Northamptonshire | Entire County |
| Oxfordshire | Oxfordshire | Entire County |
In 1994 the Oxford Region was merged with the East Anglia Region to form Anglia and Oxford Region.
Eight district health authorities were formed in the Wessex Region in 1982, replacing four Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avon | Bristol and Weston | Bath, 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 |
| Gloucestershire | Cheltenham and District | Cheltenham, part of Cotswold (Cirencester, Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold areas), most of Tewkesbury (except area formerly in Gloucester Rural District | Part of Gloucestershire District 1991 |
| Cornwall and Isles of Scilly | Cornwall and Isles of Scilly | Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (Same area as AHA) | |
| Devon | Exeter | East 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 |
| Avon | Frenchay | Kingswood, part of Northavon (Chipping Sodbury area), part of Bristol (Easton, Eastville, St George areas) | Part of Bristol and District 1991 |
| Gloucestershire | Gloucester | Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud, part of Cotswold (Tetbury area) | Part of Gloucestershire District 1991 |
| Devon | North Devon | North Devon, Torridge | Part of Exeter and North Devon District 1993 |
| Devon | Plymouth | Plymouth, part of South Hams (Kingsbridge, Salcombe areas) | Part of Plymouth and Torbay District 1993 |
| Somerset | Somerset | Somerset (entire county) Same area as AHA | |
| Avon | Southmead | Part 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 |
| Devon | Torbay | Torbay, part of Teignbridge (except part in Exeter District), part of South Hams (Dartmouth, Totnes areas) | Part of Plymouth and Torbay District 1993 |
Reorganisation in 1991 and 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to five:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol and District | Avon | Entire County |
| Cornwall and Isles of Scilly | Cornwall, Isles of Scilly | Unchanged |
| Exeter and North Devon | Devon | Districts 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) |
| Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire | Entire County |
| Plymouth and Torbay | Devon | Districts 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) |
| Somerset | Somerset | Unchanged |
In 1994 the South West Region was merged with the Wessex Region to form the South and West Region.
Twenty-two district health authorities were formed in the West Midlands Region in 1982, replacing eleven Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Changes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | Central Birmingham | Part of Birmingham (Edgbaston, Fox Hollies, Hall Green, Harborne, Quinton, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill areas) | Absorbed by South Birmingham District 1991 |
| Birmingham | East Birmingham | Part of Birmingham (Acock's Green, Hodge Hill, Shard End, Sheldon, Small Heath, Washwood Heath, Yardley areas) | Absorbed by North Birmingham District 1994 |
| Birmingham | North Birmingham | Part of Birmingham (Erdington, Kingsbury, Stockland Green, Sutton Coldfield areas) | Absorbed East Birmingham, West Birmingham Districts 1994 |
| Birmingham | South Birmingham | Part of Birmingham (Bartley Green, Billesley, Bourneville, Brandwood, King's Norton, Longbridge, Moseley, Northfield, Selly Oak, and Weoley areas) | Absorbed Central Birmingham 1991 |
| Birmingham | West Birmingham | Part of Birmingham (Aston, Handsworth, Kingstanding, Ladywood, Oscott, Perry Barr, Sandwell, Soho areas) | Absorbed by North Birmingham District 1994 |
| Coventry | Coventry | Coventry (Same area as AHA) | |
| Dudley | Dudley | Dudley (Same areas as AHA) | |
| Hereford and Worcester | Bromsgrove and Redditch | Bromsgrove, Redditch | Part of North Worcestershire District 1992 |
| Hereford and Worcester | Herefordshire | Hereford, South Herefordshire, part of Leominster (Kington, Leominster and Wigmore areas), part of Malvern Hills (Bromyard and Ledbury areas) | |
| Hereford and Worcester | Kidderminster and District | Wyre Forest, part of Leominster (Tenbury area), part of Wychavon (1 parish) | Part of North Worcestershire District 1992 |
| Worcester and District | Worcester, part of Malvern Hills (Malvern, Martley, Upton upon Severn areas) | ||
| Sandwell | Sandwell | Sandwell (Same area as AHA) | |
| Shropshire | Shropshire | Shropshire (Same area as AHA) | |
| Solihull | Solihull | Solihull (Same area as AHA) | |
| Staffordshire | Mid-Staffordshire | Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire, Stafford | Part of South Staffordshire District 1994 |
| Staffordshire | North Staffordshire | Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent | |
| Staffordshire | South-East Staffordshire | East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth | Part of South Staffordshire District 1994 |
| Walsall | Walsall | Walsall (Same area as AHA) | |
| Warwickshire | North Warwickshire | North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth | Part of North East Warwickshire District 1991† |
| Warwickshire | Rugby | Rugby | Part of North East Warwickshire District 1991† |
| Warwickshire | South Warwickshire | Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick | Part of Warwickshire District 1993 |
| Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton (Same area as AHA) |
† North East Warwickshire District merged with South Warwickshire District to form Warwickshire District in 1993.
Reorganisation in 1991 to 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to fifteen:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry | West Midlands | Coventry (unchanged) |
| Dudley | West Midlands | Dudley (unchanged) |
| Herefordshire | Hereford and Worcester | (unchanged) |
| North Birmingham | West Midlands | Part of Birmingham (areas formerly in East Birmingham, North Birmingham, West Birmingham Districts) |
| North Staffordshire | Staffordshire | Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent |
| North Worcestershire | Hereford and Worcester | Districts of Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest; part of Leominster (Tenbury area), one parish in Wychavon |
| Sandwell | West Midlands | Sandwell (unchanged) |
| Shropshire | Shropshire | Entire County (unchanged) |
| Solihull | West Midlands | Solihull (unchanged) |
| South Birmingham | West Midlands | Part of Birmingham (areas fortmerly in Central Birmingham, South Birmingham Districts) |
| South Staffordshire | Staffordshire | Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield South Staffordshire, Stafford, Tamworth |
| Walsall | West Midlands | Walsall (Unchanged) |
| Warwickshire | Warwickshire | Entire County |
| Wolverhampton | West Midlands | Wolverhampton (Unchanged) |
| Worcester and District | Hereford and Worcester | Unchanged |
Ten district health authorities were formed in the Mersey Region in 1982, replacing six Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheshire | Chester | Chester, part of Ellesmere Port and Neston (Ellesmere Port area) | |
| Cheshire | Crewe | Crewe 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 |
| Cheshire | Halton | Halton, part of Vale Royal (part of the area formerly in Runcorn Rural District) | Part of North Cheshire District 1993 |
| Cheshire | Macclesfield | Macclesfield, part of Congleton (Congleton area) | Part of South and East Cheshire District 1993 |
| Cheshire | Warrington | Warrington, part of Vale Royal (part of the area formerly in Runcorn Rural District) | part of North Cheshire District 1993 |
| Cheshire, Wirral | Wirral | Wirral, part of Ellesmere Port and Neston (Neston area) | |
| St Helens and Knowsley | St Helens and Knowsley | St Helens, Knowsley (Same area as AHA) | |
| Liverpool | Liverpool | Liverpool (Same area as AHA) | |
| Sefton | North Sefton: renamed Southport and Formby | Part of Sefton (Southport, Formby areas) | Part of Sefton District 1993 |
| Sefton | South Sefton (Merseyside) | Part of Sefton (Bootle, Crosby, Litherland areas) | Part of Sefton District 1993 |
Reorganisation in 1993 led to a reduction in the number of districts to seven:
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Chester | Cheshire | Unchanged |
| Liverpool | Merseyside | Unchanged |
| North Cheshire | Halton and Warrington; part of Vale Royal (the part formerly in Runcorn Rural District) | |
| Sefton | Merseyside | Sefton |
| St Helens and Knowsley | Merseyside | Unchanged |
| South and East Cheshire | Cheshire | Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich and Macclesfield; Vale Royal (except part in North Cheshire) |
| Wirral | Cheshire, Merseyside | Unchanged |
In 1994 the Mersey Region was merged with the North Western Region to form the North West Region.
Nineteen district health authorities were formed in the North Western Region in 1982, replacing eleven Area Health Authorities:
| AHA 1974-82 | District Health Authority 1982 | Local Government Areas | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton | Bolton | Bolton (Same area as AHA) | |
| Bury | Bury | Bury (Same area as AHA) | Part of Bury and Rochdale District 1994 |
| Lancashire | Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley | Blackburn, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley | Part of East Lancashire District 1994 |
| Lancashire | Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde | Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre | Part of North West Lancashire District 1994 |
| Lancashire | Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale | Burnley, Pendle, most of Rossendale (Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall areas) | Part of East Lancashire District 1994 |
| Lancashire | Chorley and South Ribble | Chorley, South Ribble | Part of South Lancashire District 1994 |
| Lancashire | Lancaster | Lancaster | Part of Morecambe Bay District 1994 |
| Lancashire | Preston | Preston | Part of North West Lancashire District 1994 |
| Lancashire | West Lancashire | West Lancashire | Part of South Lancashire District 1994 |
| Manchester | Central Manchester | Part of Manchester (Ardwick, Fallowfield, Gorton, Hulme, Levenshulme, Longsight, Moss Side, and Rusholme areas) | Part of Manchester District 1994 |
| Manchester | North Manchester | Part of Manchester (Blackley, Cheetham, Crumpsall, Harpurhey, Moston, and Newton Heath areas) | Part of Manchester District 1994 |
| Manchester | South Manchester | Part of Manchester (Baguley, Chorlton, Didsbury, Northenden, Whalley Range, Withington areas) | Part of Manchester District 1994 |
| Oldham | Oldham | Oldham (same area as AHA) | Part of West Pennine District 1994 |
| Rochdale, Lancashire | Rochdale | Rochdale, part Rossendale (Whitworth area) | Part of Bury and Rochdale District 1994 |
| Salford | Salford | Salford (same area as AHA) | Part of Salford and Trafford District 1994 |
| Stockport | Stockport | Stockport (same area as AHA) | |
| Tameside, Derbyshire | Tameside and Glossop | Tameside, part of High Peak (Glossop and Tintwistle areas) | Part of West Pennine District 1994 |
| Trafford | Trafford | Trafford (same area as AHA) | Part of Salford and Trafford District 1994 |
| Wigan | Wigan | Wigan (Same area as AHA) |
Reorganisation in 1994 led to a reduction in the number of districts to :
| District Health Authority | County | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bolton | Greater Manchester | Bolton (unchanged) |
| Bury and Rochdale | Greater Manchester, Lancashire | Bury, Rochdale, part Rossendale (Whitworth area) |
| East Lancashire | Lancashire | Blackburn, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Pendle, most of Rossendale (Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall areas) |
| Manchester | Greater Manchester | Manchester |
| Morecambe Bay | Lancashire, Cumbria | Barrow-in-Furness, Lancaster, South Lakeland |
| North West Lancashire | Lancashire | Blackpool, Fylde, Preston, Wyre |
| South Lancashire | Lancashire | Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire |
| Salford and Trafford | Greater Manchester | Salford, Trafford |
| Stockport | Greater Manchester | Unchanged |
| West Pennine | Greater Manchester, Derbyshire | Oldham, 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.
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.
| County | District Health Authority 1982 |
|---|---|
| Clwyd | Clwyd |
| Dyfed | East Dyfed |
| Dyfed | Pembrokeshire |
| Gwent | Gwent |
| Gwynedd | Gwynedd |
| Mid Glamorgan | Mid Glamorgan |
| Powys | Powys |
| South Glamorgan | South Glamorgan |
| West Glamorgan | West Glamorgan |