Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a formal impact assessment on the abolition of NHS England to include assessment of (a) patient safety risks during the transition, (b) impact on delivery of (i) the 10-year plan and (ii) ongoing programmes and (c) (A) redundancy costs, (B) projected savings and (C) other financial implications.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to transparency and evidence-based policy making. In line with established best practice for impact assessments, we will publish proportionate assessments to support these reforms. Where appropriate, assessments will be published alongside relevant consultations or decisions to enable scrutiny by Parliament and the public. These will be proportionate to the scale of the reform, and will support decision-making with clear evidence, analysis of options, and consideration of affected groups.
Financial information, including any redundancy costs, projected savings, and other material implications, will be disclosed in line with Government reporting requirements and transparency commitments.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for publication of a formal impact assessment on the abolition of NHS England.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We will publish an impact assessment as part of the material to accompany the required primary legislation which will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.
Work is progressing at pace to develop the design and operating model for the new integrated organisation, and to plan for the smooth transfer of people, functions, and responsibilities. It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. These ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate.
The Government is committed to transparency and will consider how best to ensure that the public and parliamentarians are informed of the outcomes.
Asked by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for transport services for Scottish islands.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
It is vital that Scotland’s island communities continue to thrive. Reliable, affordable transport connections are a critical part of that.
The Scottish Government has failed to deliver that, and island communities, rightly, are demanding a credible plan for sustained improvements.
The Scottish Government has received a record devolution settlement, and has the powers and resources to address this issue. Our island communities deserve better.