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Health and Social Care Bill

I have listened carefully to the noble Baroness about matters that might be included in studies under Clause 50, particularly her remarks about innovation, NICE and HIC. The studies will look at both the independent assessment of the quality of NHS services nationally and the analysis of value for money, which is what we mean by economy, efficiency and effectiveness. In presenting recommendations, I would expect the commission to consider both the costs and the benefits in order to present a balanced view when making recommendations. Considerations of quality cannot be divorced from whether a service represents value for money. I also believe that the commission will consider both financial savings and economic gains in its reports. The amendment is therefore probably unnecessary. In particular, the emphasis on medical technology in the proposed Clause 50(6)(c) seems narrower than we hope these studies will be, given that they will cover both health and social care. We have discussed the important role of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in producing guidance on the use of new and existing treatments and procedures within the NHS. While the Care Quality Commission absolutely should have regard to the use that providers make of innovation and technology, we would not want to duplicate NICE’s role or to be too prescriptive about the way in which effectiveness can be achieved. As an independent body, the commission is best placed to decide what expertise it can draw on to carry out studies under Clause 50 and what recommendations are appropriate. I hope that the noble Baroness will now be reassured about our intentions for Clause 50 and feel able to withdraw the amendment.