Health and Care Bill (Nineteeth sitting)

Jo Gideon Excerpts

Committee stage
Wednesday 27th October 2021 Public Bill Committees

[The Chair]

I have just been advised that there was a statement from the Commission yesterday, but I do not believe there has been a specific assessment in relation to the Committee meeting in this room or any update on that. Again, I point out to the hon. Gentleman that it is not an issue for me. His point is on the record and it will be drawn to Mr Speaker’s attention. I am not sure there is a great deal more that we can achieve at this stage.

[Jo Gideon (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Con)]

Further to that point of order, some Members may have medical conditions that we do not wish to disclose meaning we cannot wear masks. I have been sitting in the Chamber for three hours now, and I struggle with wearing a mask for a specific medical reason. I would therefore like to put on record that it is not necessarily a political decision not to wear a mask—sometimes it is for a medical reason. That needs to be understood.

[The Chair]

I thank the hon. Lady for that further point of order. I have to say to all of you: this is not the venue for this debate. If Members really want to have this debate, they need to speak to Mr Speaker. I have heard what people have said and it is on the record. You are entitled to take it up with Mr Speaker. I am going to move on.

New Clause 8

NHS Good Governance Commission

“(1) Regulations must provide for the establishment of an NHS Good Governance Commission as a Special Health Authority.

(2) The Commission has responsibility for ensuring that anyone appointed to, or elected into, a non-executive role on an NHS body—

(a) is a fit and proper person for that role; and

(b) has been appointed or elected by a process that the Commission considers appropriate.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) a Chair or ordinary member of an Integrated Care Board must be considered to be a non-executive role.

(4) NHS England may publish guidance, which must be approved by the Commission, about how appointments are made to NHS bodies.

(5) The Commission must publish an annual assessment of diversity and inclusion in decision-making by NHS bodies and in appointments to executive and non-executive roles in NHS bodies.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (2) an NHS body is—

(a) NHS England;

(b) an Integrated Care Board;

(c) an NHS Trust;

(d) an NHS Foundations Trust; and

(e) a Special Health Authority.”—(Karin Smyth.)

This new clause returns to the position prior to 2012 by recreating a body with independent oversight of important NHS appointments.

Brought up, and read the First time.