Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March to Question 166116 on Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, what the accountability relationship is between his Department and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA); and for what reason his Department cannot obtain information requested by hon. Members from the NHSBSA.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is an arm’s length body of the Department and is accountable thereto for its performance, with the relationship between the Department and NHSBSA being set out in a Framework Document. Accountability meetings are held regularly for each of its services, and a quarterly accountability meeting takes place which looks across the whole of NHSBSA’s business.

NHSBSA updates all claimants directly on the progress of individual claims. Claimants may also provide details of a nominated person with authority to act on their behalf to receive updates on their claim, by providing written confirmation to the NHSBSA. This process ensures sensitive information is protected in line with General Data Protection Regulation and remains confidential; NHSBSA distributing the information to the Department to pass onto a third party, such as hon. Members at their request, would break the confidentiality of this system.