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Proceeding contribution from Earl Howe (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 23 November 2005. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on NHS Redress Bill [HL].


NHS Redress Bill [HL]

I found the Minister’s answer very helpful and thank him for it. I take on board all that he said about anonymity. My amendment was intended as a hook on which to hang a debate, and the debate has been useful. I endorse what the noble Baroness, Lady Tonge, said. Confidence in the system on the part of patients and the public will depend on perception. The Government seem to be of the view that patients will be content to remain passive recipients of the honesty of the NHS. I am not sure that that is a realistic hope. Patients must believe that their complaint is in the hands of someone who is neutral and unbiased. It is probably appropriate that someone in the trust, such as an executive director, is given that responsibility. It would not necessarily be right to give it to a non-executive director, because they usually do not have the necessary influence to drive through change in the sense that we are discussing—culture change. Again, we will need to return to the matter later but, for now, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 56 not moved.] On Question, Whether Clause 10 shall stand part of the Bill?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
675 c411GC 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Complaints Compensation Civil proceedings Hospitals Legal representation NHS Patients Payments Negligence Solicitors Time limits Torts Patient advice and liaison services Health Service Commissioner NHS Litigation Authority Independent complaints advocacy services
Legislation
NHS Redress Bill (HL) 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk