Mental Health Act

Debate between Earl Howe and Baroness Ford

Monday 29th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

I am most grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Williamson. Indeed, it was the well-being of patients that was central in our mind when we sat down to consider how to resolve this very unfortunate situation at the end of last week. I hope and believe that patients should not suffer any inconvenience or distress at all as a result of the remedial route that we chose.

[Baroness Ford]

I welcome a review by Dr Harris, but can the Minister say whether, outwith the sphere of mental health, the department has any concerns that there are other areas of health where the Secretary of State would normally delegate authority to strategic health authorities and where that delegation might be further delegated? Is there any belief in the department that any other areas could be similarly ultra vires?

[Earl Howe]

We know of no such instances, but again we have asked Dr Harris to investigate that issue. I am sincerely hopeful that he will not find any other irregularities, but we cannot of course rule out that possibility.