Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Disclosure and Barring Service applications for employment in the adult social care workforce took more than (1) 60 days, and (2) 100 days to complete in (a) 2016, and (b) 2017.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The information requested is not held centrally. The DBS do not hold the information requested by sector.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that media allegations of incompetent brain and other surgery at Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust have been investigated.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
Patient safety is a critical priority, and a culture that seeks out opportunities for learning and improvement is vital for making care safer for patients.
NHS Improvement is in regular contact with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and has received assurances from the Trust that the allegations relating to neurological surgery are subject to independent review, either through the Royal College of Surgeons or through ongoing coroner’s cases. NHS Improvement is confident that all media allegations have been fully investigated.
NHS Improvement has also taken robust steps in line with their whistleblowing policy to ensure that these matters are looked into thoroughly.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) patient safety in the Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, and (2) the procedures to ensure that whistle-blowers are protected and that any medical negligence is exposed.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has advised us that it conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Trust in March 2015, a focused inspection in September 2016, and these were followed by the CQC issuing requirement notices regarding breaches of regulations.
The CQC carried out an unannounced inspection of eight core services and two additional services in April 2018 at University Hospital, Coventry, and three core services at Hospital St Cross, Rugby in May 2018, as well as further unannounced inspections in May 2018. The CQC is compiling its report findings with a view to publishing the inspection report in August or September 2018.
The Government supports the right of staff working in the National Health Service to raise concerns and expects all NHS organisations to support staff that wish to do so. All NHS trusts and foundation trusts are required to have Freedom to Speak up Guardians to whom employees can raise concerns about patient safety in confidence.
In May 2018, the Government introduced legislation to further protect prospective employees into the NHS from discrimination if the individual is perceived to have been a whistleblower. This legislation was a recommendation from Sir Robert Francis’ Freedom to Speak Up review, published in February 2015.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the estimate, produced by Mencap, that the Employment Appeal Tribunal decision to backdate pay for sleep-in carers will lead to a funding shortfall of £400 million for care organisations.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
The Government recognises the pressure that sleep-in back pay liabilities are placing on providers of social care, and is exploring options to minimise any impact on the sector. Any intervention to support the sector would need to be proportionate and necessary.
The Government commissioned market analysis to assess the impact of sleep-ins back pay liabilities across the social care sector. This work forms part of the evidence base that is being used to assess options and is subject to further analysis and refinement. The Department has committed to sharing a summary of the analysis at the appropriate time.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any potential threat to the viability of social care providers caused by the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling on backdating sleep-in pay.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
The Government recognises the pressure that sleep-in back pay liabilities are placing on providers of social care, and is exploring options to minimise any impact on the sector. Any intervention to support the sector would need to be proportionate and necessary.
The Government commissioned market analysis to assess the impact of sleep-ins back pay liabilities across the social care sector. This work forms part of the evidence base that is being used to assess options and is subject to further analysis and refinement. The Department has committed to sharing a summary of the analysis at the appropriate time.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total number and proportion of direct respondents to their consultation on the Leveson Inquiry Part 2 and section 40 who (1) wrote unique or individual letters or emails, (2) sent in coupons cut out from newspapers, (3) sent in pro-forma, standard or identical email responses, and (4) provided other responses; and for each of those categories, how many were in favour of their preferred options for (a) section 40, and (b) Leveson Part 2.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
The Government received 174,730 direct responses to the consultation and two petitions, offering a variety of views. Of the direct responses, 79 percent were in favour of full repeal, compared to 7 percent who favoured full commencement. A full breakdown of responses can be found in the government response.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research published in the Lancet showing that the estimated health benefits of minimum unit pricing of alcohol would benefit those from the lowest socioeconomic group.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
Public Health England (PHE) published an evidence review The Public Health Burden of Alcohol and the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Alcohol Control Policies: An evidence review in December 2016. A copy of the evidence review is attached. The research Effects of minimum unit pricing for alcohol on different income and socioeconomic groups: a modelling study published in the Lancet in 2014 was considered as part of this review. The PHE review concluded that reducing the affordability of alcohol is the most effective way of reducing alcohol harm, including hospital admissions and deaths, and targeted pricing measures are particularly effective at reducing harm in those groups most at risk. The review also found that targeting price increases at the cheapest alcohol is very effective and cost-effective and is able to substantially reduce harm in heavy drinkers without affecting moderate drinkers or the price of alcohol sold in pubs and bars.
Minimum Unit Pricing and its effects will continue to remain under review pending the impact of its implementation in Scotland, which will give us the opportunity to see whether the beneficial impacts predicted by modelling are realised in practice.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what support is available to those working on the Lords part of the Parliamentary estate who have reported sexual assault or sexual harassment.
Answered by Lord McFall of Alcluith
All reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment should be dealt with appropriately and with the right support. The Leaders of the two Houses have set up a Working Group on an Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy to draw up and implement a new bicameral bullying and harassment procedure. Officials from the Lords Administration are working with their Commons counterparts to support that working group.
Currently, there are a number of support services available to those who work on the Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate and who wish to report, or have reported, a sexual assault or sexual harassment. Members, Members’ staff and staff of the House have access to the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service and the five Parliamentary Workplace Equality Networks. Members’ staff and House staff may also get independent support from Employee Assistance Programmes [Health Assured for Members’ staff and Workplace Options for House staff].
For employees of the Administration, the Staff Handbook sets out the procedures for reporting harassment or bullying of any type and the support available to them. For Members and Members’ staff, reports of bullying and harassment are currently dealt with through the relevant Whips Offices or through the Convenor’s office.
Members of the House of Lords are subject to a Code of Conduct which provides guidance on the standards of conduct expected of members in the discharge of their parliamentary duties and includes a requirement to act on their personal honour. An individual can make a complaint about the conduct of a Member to the independent Commissioner for Standards who would make a preliminary assessment of whether the allegation was linked to the discharge of parliamentary duties and, if so, whether it could constitute a breach of the Code. If the preliminary assessment concluded that these two tests had been met the Commissioner would investigate the allegation in accordance with the current procedures set out in the Code. The procedures and processes for investigating complaints made under the Code were not designed with complaints of this nature in mind and this is something the Commissioner would need to advise any potential complainant about, it is also something the Committee for Privileges and Conduct will need to consider. Anyone wishing to establish whether the particular behaviour of an individual member could amount to a breach of the Code should contact the Commissioner for further information.
In addition, anyone working on the Lords part of the Estate has independent access to ACAS services and can report a sexual assault or sexual harassment to the Police.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what protocols and procedures with respect to harassment and bullying are available to those working on the Lords part of the Parliamentary estate, regardless of employment status or political party.
Answered by Lord McFall of Alcluith
All reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment should be dealt with appropriately and with the right support. The Leaders of the two Houses have set up a Working Group on an Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy to draw up and implement a new bicameral bullying and harassment procedure. Officials from the Lords Administration are working with their Commons counterparts to support that working group.
Currently, there are a number of support services available to those who work on the Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate and who wish to report, or have reported, a sexual assault or sexual harassment. Members, Members’ staff and staff of the House have access to the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service and the five Parliamentary Workplace Equality Networks. Members’ staff and House staff may also get independent support from Employee Assistance Programmes [Health Assured for Members’ staff and Workplace Options for House staff].
For employees of the Administration, the Staff Handbook sets out the procedures for reporting harassment or bullying of any type and the support available to them. For Members and Members’ staff, reports of bullying and harassment are currently dealt with through the relevant Whips Offices or through the Convenor’s office.
Members of the House of Lords are subject to a Code of Conduct which provides guidance on the standards of conduct expected of members in the discharge of their parliamentary duties and includes a requirement to act on their personal honour. An individual can make a complaint about the conduct of a Member to the independent Commissioner for Standards who would make a preliminary assessment of whether the allegation was linked to the discharge of parliamentary duties and, if so, whether it could constitute a breach of the Code. If the preliminary assessment concluded that these two tests had been met the Commissioner would investigate the allegation in accordance with the current procedures set out in the Code. The procedures and processes for investigating complaints made under the Code were not designed with complaints of this nature in mind and this is something the Commissioner would need to advise any potential complainant about, it is also something the Committee for Privileges and Conduct will need to consider. Anyone wishing to establish whether the particular behaviour of an individual member could amount to a breach of the Code should contact the Commissioner for further information.
In addition, anyone working on the Lords part of the Estate has independent access to ACAS services and can report a sexual assault or sexual harassment to the Police.
Asked by: Baroness Hollins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether any independent service is available to those working on the Lords part of the Parliamentary estate who wish to report a sexual assault.
Answered by Lord McFall of Alcluith
All reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment should be dealt with appropriately and with the right support. The Leaders of the two Houses have set up a Working Group on an Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy to draw up and implement a new bicameral bullying and harassment procedure. Officials from the Lords Administration are working with their Commons counterparts to support that working group.
Currently, there are a number of support services available to those who work on the Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate and who wish to report, or have reported, a sexual assault or sexual harassment. Members, Members’ staff and staff of the House have access to the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service and the five Parliamentary Workplace Equality Networks. Members’ staff and House staff may also get independent support from Employee Assistance Programmes [Health Assured for Members’ staff and Workplace Options for House staff].
For employees of the Administration, the Staff Handbook sets out the procedures for reporting harassment or bullying of any type and the support available to them. For Members and Members’ staff, reports of bullying and harassment are currently dealt with through the relevant Whips Offices or through the Convenor’s office.
Members of the House of Lords are subject to a Code of Conduct which provides guidance on the standards of conduct expected of members in the discharge of their parliamentary duties and includes a requirement to act on their personal honour. An individual can make a complaint about the conduct of a Member to the independent Commissioner for Standards who would make a preliminary assessment of whether the allegation was linked to the discharge of parliamentary duties and, if so, whether it could constitute a breach of the Code. If the preliminary assessment concluded that these two tests had been met the Commissioner would investigate the allegation in accordance with the current procedures set out in the Code. The procedures and processes for investigating complaints made under the Code were not designed with complaints of this nature in mind and this is something the Commissioner would need to advise any potential complainant about, it is also something the Committee for Privileges and Conduct will need to consider. Anyone wishing to establish whether the particular behaviour of an individual member could amount to a breach of the Code should contact the Commissioner for further information.
In addition, anyone working on the Lords part of the Estate has independent access to ACAS services and can report a sexual assault or sexual harassment to the Police.