NHS: Reform

Debate between Earl Howe and Lord Taylor of Blackburn

Monday 6th June 2011 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My noble friend has made a key point. As she will know, patient and public accountability is one of the themes of the listening exercise that we have been conducting. I anticipate that Professor Steve Field and his NHS Future Forum will come forward with some substantive recommendations on how we can improve the arrangements for accountability in the service. I agree with her that it is in practice less than accountable at the moment, and our view is that it should be accountable primarily to patients in the local area but also, crucially, to Parliament as well.

[Lord Taylor of Blackburn]

My Lords, ought not the Government to pause and think before they introduce policies and not cause disharmony within the service?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, if the noble Lord remembers, we consulted extensively last year when we published our White Paper. However, as the Bill progressed though Parliament, it became apparent that concerns on the detail of the Bill gave rise to matters of implementation which could have legislative implications. That is why we have taken a second chance to look at that detail.