NHS: Reorganisation

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Thursday 24th March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jolly]

My Lords—

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

Following the question from the noble Baroness, Lady Thornton, could I ask my noble friend more about this transfer? Does he recall that, in previous reorganisations of the health service, large numbers of people claimed redundancy payments and then got very favourable jobs afterwards? Does he not think that the six months that he mentioned as the claw-back period is probably not enough at a time when the health service is very stretched? Also, will he consider what the noble Lord, Lord Walton, said about reorganising some of those posts now to avoid that situation?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, we are beginning to reorganise the system. Under current rules, we are enabled to do so. I understand my noble friend’s particular point about the claw-back arrangements but there is perhaps a countervailing argument over what is fair and unfair in redundancy arrangements. In that sense, one cannot push the issue too far. Having said that, we are on track with the retirement scheme. We are seeing a deliberate and carefully managed process of reducing staff numbers at primary care trust level, leading up to the clustering of primary care trusts, which I am sure my noble friend knows about.