NHS: Joint Replacement Procedures

Baroness Masham of Ilton Excerpts

Tuesday 5th April 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Northover]

That is somewhat wide of the scope of this Question. In relation to the natural break in the health service Bill, it does not seem to be reaching my responsibility any later than I thought it would.

[Baroness Masham of Ilton]

My Lords, what is the procedure if a patient is turned down for a joint replacement? Whom does she or he appeal to?

[Baroness Northover]

That is a very interesting question and one that we hope is addressed within the new NHS Bill. It is very difficult, as the noble Baroness knows, to get a response from some of the organisations that currently exist. However, the NHS constitution is still there and patients have rights under that; they have rights to treatment and rights within a certain amount of time. Trying to secure that, as we know, has been difficult. That is one of the challenges that we have to face and we have to ensure that new arrangements build in better ways of handling this.