Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2011

Baroness Pitkeathley Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2011 Grand Committee

[Lord Collins of Highbury]

I thank the Minister for his remarks about the regulations. I must admit that when I read the words:

“These Regulations may be cited as the … Regulated Activities … Regulations”,

I felt as if I was participating in a Marx brothers’ movie, as you wonder which part relates to which. However, behind the regulations lies a very important human story. I want to focus my comments and questions on some of those issues. The Minister referred to the fact that in respect of NHS primary care services there is clearly a risk that the problems which the Care Quality Commission faces now could still apply in 2013. Apart from simply delaying the requirement to register again, has the Minister any other contingency plans to deal with the capacity problems in the CQC?

A human-issue story concerning out-of-hours services relates to the report that the CQC wrote arising out of the Daniel Ubani case, where the real risk posed to patient care from out-of-hours services was apparent. I would like the Minister to spell out how the small number of—

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

My Lords, there is a Division in the Chamber. The Committee will adjourn until 4.29 pm, taking note that the Clocks in the Room are an hour fast.