---

Health and Social Care Bill

I did not intend to speak in this part of the debate, but the noble Baroness talked about professionalism, which made me stand to my feet. I am afraid that I support the noble Earl, Lord Howe, and the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, in this matter. This is a question of how we reassure the general public that there is a separation of powers. This is done in all sorts of areas. Many organisations have a part that hears complaints, and adjudication and sanction are often separated out from the professional body that sets the standard. This debate should be had because we got into difficulties previously when we used this word ““professionalism”” to cover poor practice. I am a professional in another field, and I would expect to be held to account—I hope by my organisation, which could strike me off. We need to think this through and discuss this kind of separation of powers, which would not prevent there being some method of influence. I have recently been involved with the General Medical Council and find it to be a superb organisation, but that does not prevent it being questioned. I speak simply because I wanted to support the noble Earl and the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, in testing and pressing the issue of what it means to be a professional. It does not mean that you are protected.