Amendments 9 and 25 propose that the NHS Constitution and the handbook to the NHS Constitution be ““readily available”” to patients, staff and members of the public rather than ““available”” as the clause currently reads. Amendment 10 seeks to provide after Clause 3(1) that each of the bodies under a...

Amendments 9 and 25 propose that the NHS Constitution and the handbook to the NHS Constitution be ““readily available”” to patients, staff and members of the public rather than ““available”” as the clause currently reads. Amendment 10 seeks to provide after Clause 3(1) that each of the bodies under a...

I speak to Amendment 10, which follows on from the amendment moved by the noble Earl, Lord Howe, and is really a development of the word ““readily””. We agree with the noble Lord, Lord Walton, that the constitution should be readily available. If we are to have this constitution, it...

I speak to Amendment 10, which follows on from the amendment moved by the noble Earl, Lord Howe, and is really a development of the word ““readily””. We agree with the noble Lord, Lord Walton, that the constitution should be readily available. If we are to have this constitution, it...

Amendment 11 brings to the attention of the Committee a substantial omission within the constitution, the handbook and the statement of accountability, which is the requirement of NHS bodies to review and consult with local government on their local accountability arrangements. Despite the long list of bodies referred to by...

Amendment 11 brings to the attention of the Committee a substantial omission within the constitution, the handbook and the statement of accountability, which is the requirement of NHS bodies to review and consult with local government on their local accountability arrangements. Despite the long list of bodies referred to by...

Anything that we can do to enhance communication in this field will be very important. I am not sure whether communication of the constitution will be fulfilled through the European health card but I shall be more than happy to look into that. However, I take the point and could...

Anything that we can do to enhance communication in this field will be very important. I am not sure whether communication of the constitution will be fulfilled through the European health card but I shall be more than happy to look into that. However, I take the point and could...

I thank noble Lords for their contributions to this debate. I start by assuring the noble Lord, Lord Walton, that it was not my intention in any way to reinvent the horrors of the 1970s, reconstituting effective bodies and replacing them with wholly ineffective ones. I had hoped that we...

I thank noble Lords for their contributions to this debate. I start by assuring the noble Lord, Lord Walton, that it was not my intention in any way to reinvent the horrors of the 1970s, reconstituting effective bodies and replacing them with wholly ineffective ones. I had hoped that we...

Like the noble Baroness, Lady Cumberlege, I declare an interest as chair of the Care Quality Commission, which in 36 days will become the only regulator in the world covering both health and social care. I hope that it will be able to play a role in some of the...

Like the noble Baroness, Lady Cumberlege, I declare an interest as chair of the Care Quality Commission, which in 36 days will become the only regulator in the world covering both health and social care. I hope that it will be able to play a role in some of the...

This amendment is designed to highlight an anomalous fact as regards this part of the Bill, a fact to which I referred earlier, which is that Parliament is being asked to enshrine ““regard to the NHS Constitution”” in primary legislation, but at the same time has no present or prospective...

This amendment is designed to highlight an anomalous fact as regards this part of the Bill, a fact to which I referred earlier, which is that Parliament is being asked to enshrine ““regard to the NHS Constitution”” in primary legislation, but at the same time has no present or prospective...

Those are important reassurances, which I take on board fully. I was reassured in particular by the Minister’s mention of the Ministerial Code, which I hope and believe will pertain throughout future Governments. I acknowledge of course that a Written Statement was made to Parliament when the present constitution was...

Those are important reassurances, which I take on board fully. I was reassured in particular by the Minister’s mention of the Ministerial Code, which I hope and believe will pertain throughout future Governments. I acknowledge of course that a Written Statement was made to Parliament when the present constitution was...

Your Lordships will not be surprised that I rise to speak in support of the amendments about carers—that is, Amendments 16, 20 and 31. Not including carers in this matter is a missed opportunity. That is strange for this Government, who have an exemplary record as far as carers are...

Your Lordships will not be surprised that I rise to speak in support of the amendments about carers—that is, Amendments 16, 20 and 31. Not including carers in this matter is a missed opportunity. That is strange for this Government, who have an exemplary record as far as carers are...

I am, as ever, somewhat confused and find it difficult to understand why a Labour Government have trouble on occasions in using the words ““trade unions”” in legislation. A number of pieces of legislation have gone through Parliament in recent years which refer to ““staff””, but we are never absolutely...

I am, as ever, somewhat confused and find it difficult to understand why a Labour Government have trouble on occasions in using the words ““trade unions”” in legislation. A number of pieces of legislation have gone through Parliament in recent years which refer to ““staff””, but we are never absolutely...

My friend the noble Lord, Lord Walton, is as usual highly eloquent but, as it is, we already have a list. The list is here. Many of us would make a particular plea for one specific set of amendments—Amendments 16, 20 and 31—about carers. We make that plea partly because...

My friend the noble Lord, Lord Walton, is as usual highly eloquent but, as it is, we already have a list. The list is here. Many of us would make a particular plea for one specific set of amendments—Amendments 16, 20 and 31—about carers. We make that plea partly because...

I am grateful for that intervention. I am referring to revision of the constitution, which could happen much sooner than in 10 years, rather than the constitution itself. I am talking about minor revisions and changes in policy that may be necessary and about how we consult in relation to...

I am grateful for that intervention. I am referring to revision of the constitution, which could happen much sooner than in 10 years, rather than the constitution itself. I am talking about minor revisions and changes in policy that may be necessary and about how we consult in relation to...

How important does the Minister feel the specialised services are? He did not mention them.

How important does the Minister feel the specialised services are? He did not mention them.

The noble Baroness will be fully aware—and I should probably declare an interest here—that I work in a specialist hospital. I have a very high regard for specialist services. We have debated many times the role of specialist providers. High Quality Care for All and the 10 regional reports show...

The noble Baroness will be fully aware—and I should probably declare an interest here—that I work in a specialist hospital. I have a very high regard for specialist services. We have debated many times the role of specialist providers. High Quality Care for All and the 10 regional reports show...

Amendment 22 would place a duty on the Secretary of State to take into account any impact on bringing together health and social care when conducting any review of the NHS Constitution. I think that it would be helpful if I first give some context around the proposals for the...

Amendment 22 would place a duty on the Secretary of State to take into account any impact on bringing together health and social care when conducting any review of the NHS Constitution. I think that it would be helpful if I first give some context around the proposals for the...

Amendment 7 7: Clause 2, page 2, line 25, at end insert— ““( ) The Secretary of State shall publish guidance on the manner in which bodies and persons may demonstrate that they have had regard to the NHS Constitution.””

Amendment 7 7: Clause 2, page 2, line 25, at end insert— ““( ) The Secretary of State shall publish guidance on the manner in which bodies and persons may demonstrate that they have had regard to the NHS Constitution.””

I cannot resist rising on this issue. Having been on the receiving end of many lectures over the years from the noble Earl, Lord Howe, about how the Government have created bureaucracy in the NHS, this looks like a crackingly good way of having returns from NHS authorities to show...

I cannot resist rising on this issue. Having been on the receiving end of many lectures over the years from the noble Earl, Lord Howe, about how the Government have created bureaucracy in the NHS, this looks like a crackingly good way of having returns from NHS authorities to show...

May I ask a question of clarification? Having been brought up in the field of social care, where Bills and Acts sometimes contain a sentence that says that guidance may be issued from time to time, I saw the handbook as the guidance to the constitution. I would have found...

May I ask a question of clarification? Having been brought up in the field of social care, where Bills and Acts sometimes contain a sentence that says that guidance may be issued from time to time, I saw the handbook as the guidance to the constitution. I would have found...

To add a point of clarity, the handbook is primarily an explanatory guide for patients, not guidance for the NHS. I hope I have answered that. On how we share that information with the patients, I have no doubt that in debating amendments later today we will discuss how to...

To add a point of clarity, the handbook is primarily an explanatory guide for patients, not guidance for the NHS. I hope I have answered that. On how we share that information with the patients, I have no doubt that in debating amendments later today we will discuss how to...

I agree with all that the noble Baroness said as regards incorporating a duty to have regard to the handbook. My Amendment 8 is designed to meet that purpose. If anything, it is more important that people should be under an obligation to abide by the handbook than by the...

I agree with all that the noble Baroness said as regards incorporating a duty to have regard to the handbook. My Amendment 8 is designed to meet that purpose. If anything, it is more important that people should be under an obligation to abide by the handbook than by the...