Written question asked by Lord Lansley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2008. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

NHS

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on 14 May 2008, Official Report, column 1387, on the draft legislative programme, what minimum standards of (a) access, (b) quality and (c) safety he is considering incorporating in the NHS constitution; whether those minimum standards will differ from the registration requirements to be enforced by the Care Quality Commission; whether he plans to incorporate the minimum standards in legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The draft NHS Constitution sets out a range of rights and national health service pledges relating to access, quality and safety.It is our intention to legislate to provide a legal duty on NHS organisations to take account of the Constitution in the decisions they make. Similarly, the government of the day will be obliged by law to renew the NHS Constitution every 10 years.Registration requirements will be set in regulations and will list the essential safety and quality requirements that providers must meet in order to be registered to provide health and adult social care services. The registration system will sit as a key part of a wider quality improvement framework that encourages excellent care.The draft NHS Constitution and the Government's proposals are open for public consultation until 17 October 2008. The details, including how to feed in views, may be found at www.dh.gov.uk/consultations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 216939; 479 c1750W
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Draft Legislative Programme
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects: NHS Standards
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk