My Lords, we live in a time of rising fear. We fear losing our jobs, we fear riots in the streets and we fear that our economic future and our country's place in the world are no longer secure. A little over 60 years ago, the National Health Service was...

My Lords, we live in a time of rising fear. We fear losing our jobs, we fear riots in the streets and we fear that our economic future and our country's place in the world are no longer secure. A little over 60 years ago, the National Health Service was...

My Lords, I welcome the Statement from the noble Earl and also congratulate him on his leadership in getting us back on track. One of the commonest sayings about a good clinician, whether a doctor or nurse, is that they listen to a patient but also seek the opinion of...

My Lords, I welcome the Statement from the noble Earl and also congratulate him on his leadership in getting us back on track. One of the commonest sayings about a good clinician, whether a doctor or nurse, is that they listen to a patient but also seek the opinion of...

Clause 7: Supplementary provision about the duty Amendment 18 18: Clause 7, page 5, line 33, at end insert— "(7A) Subsection (7) does not apply if— (a) the provider does not have control of the premises, or (b) the services are provided by means such that the persons receiving them...

Clause 7: Supplementary provision about the duty Amendment 18 18: Clause 7, page 5, line 33, at end insert— "(7A) Subsection (7) does not apply if— (a) the provider does not have control of the premises, or (b) the services are provided by means such that the persons receiving them...

Amendments 11 to 14 11: Clause 3, page 3, line 16, at end insert "and bodies or other persons representing staff" 12: Clause 3, page 3, line 16, at end insert— "( ) carers, ( ) local authorities," 13: Clause 3, page 3, line 22, at end insert— ""carers" means...

Amendments 11 to 14 11: Clause 3, page 3, line 16, at end insert "and bodies or other persons representing staff" 12: Clause 3, page 3, line 16, at end insert— "( ) carers, ( ) local authorities," 13: Clause 3, page 3, line 22, at end insert— ""carers" means...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord, and I shall try to clarify the matter. Principle 7 in the constitution refers to accountability within the NHS, which is part of the constitution. At the time, we did not think of a separate public-facing document, and the...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord, and I shall try to clarify the matter. Principle 7 in the constitution refers to accountability within the NHS, which is part of the constitution. At the time, we did not think of a separate public-facing document, and the...

My Lords, Amendments 1 and 16 tabled by the noble Earl, Lord Howe, would place a duty on the Secretary of State to publish a statement of accountability, to review it every three years and to ensure that it continues to be available to patients, staff and members of the...

My Lords, Amendments 1 and 16 tabled by the noble Earl, Lord Howe, would place a duty on the Secretary of State to publish a statement of accountability, to review it every three years and to ensure that it continues to be available to patients, staff and members of the...

My Lords, Amendments 3, 7 and 8 tabled by the noble Earl, Lord Howe, propose that the same list of bodies which are required to have regard to the constitution should also be under a duty to have regard to the Handbook to the NHS Constitution. It may be useful...

My Lords, Amendments 3, 7 and 8 tabled by the noble Earl, Lord Howe, propose that the same list of bodies which are required to have regard to the constitution should also be under a duty to have regard to the Handbook to the NHS Constitution. It may be useful...

My Lords, I am sorry to intervene but perhaps I may again read what principle 7 in the constitution says: ""The system of responsibility and accountability for taking decisions in the NHS should be transparent and clear to the public, patients and staff"." That statement is in the constitution.

My Lords, I am sorry to intervene but perhaps I may again read what principle 7 in the constitution says: ""The system of responsibility and accountability for taking decisions in the NHS should be transparent and clear to the public, patients and staff"." That statement is in the constitution.

My Lords, Amendment 2 would mean that the Secretary of State would need to make regulations to address changes to the principles set out in the NHS constitution. I understand that the noble Earl wishes to give a greater role to Parliament in determining the principles of the NHS. However,...

My Lords, Amendment 2 would mean that the Secretary of State would need to make regulations to address changes to the principles set out in the NHS constitution. I understand that the noble Earl wishes to give a greater role to Parliament in determining the principles of the NHS. However,...

My Lords, I also acknowledge the moving speeches made by my noble friend Lord Morris and the noble Baroness, Lady Campbell. Amendment 4 is a device to allow this important matter to be debated early in proceedings. I am grateful to the opposition parties for their help and support in...

My Lords, I also acknowledge the moving speeches made by my noble friend Lord Morris and the noble Baroness, Lady Campbell. Amendment 4 is a device to allow this important matter to be debated early in proceedings. I am grateful to the opposition parties for their help and support in...

My Lords, first, I declare an interest. I work in two NHS organisations that provide specialised services commissioned by specialist commissioners. I am sympathetic to the amendment and I understand why the noble Earl is seeking to ensure that we do not lose sight of specialised services. The NHS Constitution...

My Lords, first, I declare an interest. I work in two NHS organisations that provide specialised services commissioned by specialist commissioners. I am sympathetic to the amendment and I understand why the noble Earl is seeking to ensure that we do not lose sight of specialised services. The NHS Constitution...

My Lords, Amendment 9 would commit the Secretary of State to publishing guidance on the meaning of the term "to have regard". I understand that the noble Earl is concerned that the NHS will be insufficiently supported in the interpreting of the duty to have regard to the constitution. I...

My Lords, Amendment 9 would commit the Secretary of State to publishing guidance on the meaning of the term "to have regard". I understand that the noble Earl is concerned that the NHS will be insufficiently supported in the interpreting of the duty to have regard to the constitution. I...

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendments 11 to 14 and 17. Amendments 10 to 14 propose that the Secretary of State is specifically required to consult bodies or persons representing patients, bodies or persons representing staff, carers and local authorities in any 10-yearly review of the constitution. The...

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendments 11 to 14 and 17. Amendments 10 to 14 propose that the Secretary of State is specifically required to consult bodies or persons representing patients, bodies or persons representing staff, carers and local authorities in any 10-yearly review of the constitution. The...

Clause 3: Availability, review and revision of NHS Constitution Amendment 10 10: Clause 3, page 3, line 15, at end insert "and bodies or other persons representing patients"

Clause 3: Availability, review and revision of NHS Constitution Amendment 10 10: Clause 3, page 3, line 15, at end insert "and bodies or other persons representing patients"

My Lords, this set of amendments deals with consent and the services and circumstances in which direct payments might be used. I turn first to Amendment 23, moved by the noble Earl, Lord Howe. It would require that a patient’s consent to receiving a direct payment is "prior and informed"....

My Lords, this set of amendments deals with consent and the services and circumstances in which direct payments might be used. I turn first to Amendment 23, moved by the noble Earl, Lord Howe. It would require that a patient’s consent to receiving a direct payment is "prior and informed"....

My Lords, the amendment tabled by my noble friend Lord Dubs on behalf of the Joint Committee on Human Rights would highlight the fact that NHS services funded by direct payments—whoever provides them—are functions of a public nature for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998. I hope to...

My Lords, the amendment tabled by my noble friend Lord Dubs on behalf of the Joint Committee on Human Rights would highlight the fact that NHS services funded by direct payments—whoever provides them—are functions of a public nature for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998. I hope to...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, has proposed a new clause that seeks to require trusts to justify their policies on charges for car parking. The idea has merit and should be given consideration, but it ought to be covered in guidance and offered as an example of an...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, has proposed a new clause that seeks to require trusts to justify their policies on charges for car parking. The idea has merit and should be given consideration, but it ought to be covered in guidance and offered as an example of an...

Amendment 21 21: Clause 8, page 5, line 41, leave out "Subject to that," Amendment 21 agreed.

Amendment 21 21: Clause 8, page 5, line 41, leave out "Subject to that," Amendment 21 agreed.

My Lords, Amendment 30 tabled by the noble Baronesses, Lady Barker and Lady Tonge, would create an expectation that direct payments would continue to be independently reviewed every three years, even after the pilot phase has concluded. Let me try to convince noble Lords why I do not believe that...

My Lords, Amendment 30 tabled by the noble Baronesses, Lady Barker and Lady Tonge, would create an expectation that direct payments would continue to be independently reviewed every three years, even after the pilot phase has concluded. Let me try to convince noble Lords why I do not believe that...

My Lords, Amendment 26, tabled by the noble Baronesses, Lady Barker and Lady Tonge, proposes that there should be a way for people to appeal against decisions on their direct payments. I agree with the sentiment behind this amendment that people should be able to complain and seek redress if...

My Lords, Amendment 26, tabled by the noble Baronesses, Lady Barker and Lady Tonge, proposes that there should be a way for people to appeal against decisions on their direct payments. I agree with the sentiment behind this amendment that people should be able to complain and seek redress if...