HC Deb 15 January 2002 vol 378 cc244-50

'(1) The Secretary of State shall, subject to subsection (2) below, establish a body to be known as a Patients' Council ("Councils") in England in each area for which an overview and scrutiny committee has been established under section 7 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (c.15); each council shall be appointed from among members of relevant Primary Care Trust Patients' Forums and NHS Trust Patients' Forums operating in that area and representatives from relevant community interest groups.

(2) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that there is a need to establish a Council for an area other than that represented by a local authority with overview and scrutiny functions, he shall, after local consultation, establish a Council for such other area as appears to him will meet the needs of the local community.

(3) The functions of a Council are to represent the interests in the health service of the public in its district and in particular to—

  1. (a) facilitate the co-ordination of the activities of member Patients' Forums including by the provision of staff and services to Patients' Forums,
  2. (b) provide or make arrangements for the provision of services under section 19A of the NHS Act 1977 (independent advocacy services) at the direction of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health,
  3. (c) represent to persons and bodies which exercise functions in its area (including in particular the overview and scrutiny committees and the joint overview and scrutiny committees mentioned in sections 7, 8 and 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001) the views of members of the public in its area about matters affecting their health,
  4. (d) advise the bodies mentioned in subsection (4) on involvement of the public in its area in consultations or processes leading (or potentially leading) to decisions by those bodies or the formulation of policies by them, which would or might affect (whether directly or not) the health of those members of the public, monitor the effectiveness of this involvement and co-operate with the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health in carrying out this function.

(4) The bodies referred to in subsection (3)(d) are—

  1. (a) health service bodies,
  2. (b) other public bodies, and
  3. (c) others providing services to the public or a section of the public.

(5) The Secretary of State shall, following consultation with the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales, Community Health Councils, patients' and carers' organisations and the wider community, by regulation make provision in relation to Councils as to—

  1. (a) the Patients' Forums and other community interest groups from which members of the Council are to be appointed,
  2. (b) any qualification or disqualification from membership,
  3. (c) terms of appointment,
  4. (d) the proceedings of a Council,
  5. (e) the discharge of any functions of a Council by a committee of the Council or by a joint committee appointed with another Council,
  6. (f) the circumstances in which Councils will co-operate with each other in the exercise of their functions and exercise functions jointly with one or more other Councils,
  7. (g) funding of Councils and the provision of staff, premises and other facilities,
  8. (h) the preparation and publication by a Council of annual accounts,
  9. (i) the provision of information (including descriptions of information which are or are not to be provided) to a Council by an NHS Trust, a Primary Care Trust, a Strategic Health Authority, the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, the relevant local 246 authorities or a person providing independent advocacy services (within the meaning given by section I9A of the NHS Act 1977),
  10. (j) the provision of information by a Council to another person,
  11. (k) the preparation and publication of reports by Councils,
  12. (l) the furnishing and publication by NHS trusts, Primary Care Trusts, Strategic Health Authorities and Overview and Scrutiny Committees of comments on reports or recommendations of Councils, and
  13. (m) the referral of matters of a prescribed description to any overview and scrutiny committee, the relevant Strategic Health Authority, the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health or the Secretary of State.

(6) The regulations shall include provision applying or corresponding to any provision of Part 5A of the Local Government Act 1970 (c.70) (access to meetings and documents).

(7) In section 21(10) of the Local Government Act 2000 (membership of overview and scrutiny committees) after the words "who are not members of the authority" there shall be inserted ("and shall include a person appointed by the relevant Patients' Council").

(8) In paragraph I of Schedule I to the Health Authorities Act 1995 as amended by this Act after "(c) a prescribed number of officers of the Health Authority" there shall be inserted—

"(d) persons appointed by the relevant Patients' Councils.".'.—[Mr. Hinchliffe]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Motion made, and Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—

The House divided: Ayes 222, Noes 296.

Division No. 131] [9.14 pm
AYES
Ainsworth, Peter (E Surrey) Chope, Christopher
Allan, Richard Clappison, James
Amess, David Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Rushcliffe)
Ancram, Rt Hon Michael
Arbuthnot, Rt Hon James Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey
Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) Cohen, Harry
Austin, John Collins, Tim
Bacon, Richard Conway, Derek
Baker, Norman Corbyn, Jeremy
Baldry, Tony Cormack, Sir Patrick
Barker, Gregory Cotter, Brian
Barnes, Harry Cousins, Jim
Baron, John Cran, James
Barrett, John Davey, Edward (Kingston)
Beggs, Roy Davis, Rt Hon David (Haltemprice)
Bellingham, Henry Djanogly, Jonathan
Bercow, John Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen
Beresford, Sir Paul Doughty, Sue
Blunt, Crispin Duncan, Alan (Rutland & Melton)
Boswell, Tim Duncan, Peter (Galloway)
Brady, Graham Etherington, Bill
Brake, Tom Evans, Nigel
Brazier, Julian Ewing, Annabelle
Breed, Colin Fabricant, Michael
Brooke, Mrs Annette L Fallon, Michael
Browning, Mrs Angela Field, Rt Hon Frank (Birkenhead)
Bruce, Malcolm Field, Mark (Cities of London)
Burns, Simon Flight, Howard
Burstow, Paul Forth, Rt Hon Eric
Burt, Alistair Foster, Don (Bath)
Butterfill, John Fox, Dr Liam
Cable, Dr Vincent Francois, Mark
Calton, Mrs Patsy Garnier, Edward
Cameron, David George, Andrew (St Ives)
Carmichael, Alistair Gerrard, Neil
Cash, William Gibb, Nick
Chapman, Sir Sydney (Chipping Barnet) Gibson, Dr Ian
Gidley, Sandra
Gillan, Mrs Cheryl Price, Adam
Gray, James Prisk, Mark
Grayling, Chris Pugh, Dr John
Green, Damian (Ashford) Randall, John
Green, Matthew (Ludlow) Redwood, Rt Hon John
Greenway, John Reid, Alan (Argyll & Bute)
Grieve, Dominic Rendel, David
Hammond, Philip Robathan, Andrew
Hancock, Mike Robertson, Angus (Moray)
Harris, Dr Evan (Oxford W) Robertson, Hugh (Faversham)
Harvey, Nick Robertson, Laurence (Tewk'b'ry)
Hawkins, Nick Robinson, Mrs Iris (Strangford)
Hayes, John Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)
Heald, Oliver Roe, Mrs Marion
Heath, David Ruffley, David
Hermon, Lady Russell, Bob (Colchester)
Hinchliffe, David Salmond, Alex
Hoban, Mark Sanders, Adrian
Hoey, Kate Sayeed, Jonathan
Holmes, Paul Sedgemore, Brian
Horam, John Selous, Andrew
Howarth, Gerald (Aldershot) Shephard, Rt Hon Mrs Gillian
Hughes, Simon (Southwark N) Shepherd, Richard
Hunter, Andrew Simmonds, Mark
Jack, Rt Hon Michael Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S)
Jackson, Robert (Wantage) Simpson, Keith (Mid-Norfolk)
Jenkin, Bernard Skinner, Dennis
Jones, Lynne (Sally Oak)
Key, Robert Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns)
Kirkbride, Miss Julie Smyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S)
Kirkwood, Archy Spelman, Mrs Caroline
Spicer Sir Michael
Knight, Rt Hon Greg (E Yorkshire) Spink, Bob
Laing, Mrs Eleanor
Lamb, Norman Spring, Richard
Lansley, Andrew Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John
Laws, David Steen, Anthony
Leigh, Edward Streeter, Gary
Letwin, Oliver Stunell, Andrew
Lewis, Dr Julian (New Forest E) Swayne, Desmond
Lewis, Terry (Worsley) Swire, Hugo
Liddell-Grainger, Ian Syms, Robert
Lidington, David Tapsell, Sir Peter
Lilley, Rt Hon Peter Taylor, John (Solihull)
Llwyd, Elfyn Taylor, Matthew (Truro)
Loughton, Tim Taylor, Dr Richard (Wyre F)
Luff, Peter Taylor, Sir Teddy
McIntosh, Miss Anne Thomas, Simon (Ceredigion)
MacKay, Rt Hon Andrew Tonge, Dr Jenny
Maclean, Rt Hon David Tredinnick, David
McLoughlin, Patrick Trend, Michael
Malins, Humfrey Trickett, Jon
Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) Turner, Andrew (Isle of Wight)
Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) Tyler, Paul
Marshall-Andrews, Robert Viggers, Peter
Mates, Michael Walter, Robert
Mawhinney, Rt Hon Sir Brian Wareing, Robert N
May, Mrs Theresa Waterson, Nigel
Meale, Alan Watkinson, Angela
Mercer, Patrick Webb, Steve
Mitchell, Andrew (Sutton Coldfield) Weir, Michael
Moore, Michael Whittingdale, John
Moss, Malcolm Wiggin, Bill
Murrison, Dr Andrew Wilkinson, John
Naysmith, Dr Doug Williams, Hywel (Caernarfon)
Norman, Archie Williams, Roger (Brecon)
Oaten, Mark Willis, Phil
O'Brien, Stephen (Eddisbury) Wilshire, David
Öpik, Lembit Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)
Osborne, George (Tatton) Winterton, Nicholas (Macclesfield)
Ottaway, Richard Wishart, Pete
Page, Richard Young, Rt Hon Sir George
Paice, James Younger-Ross, Richard
Paterson, Owen
Perham, Linda Tellers for the Ayes:
Pickles, Eric Mr. Kelvin Hopkins and
Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) John McDonnell.
NOES
Ainsworth, Bob (Cov'try NE) Dismore, Andrew
Allen, Graham Dobbin, Jim
Anderson, Rt Hon Donald (Swansea E) Dobson, Rt Hon Frank
Donohoe, Brian H
Anderson, Janet (Rossendale) Doran, Frank
Armstrong, Rt Hon Ms Hilary Dowd, Jim
Atherton, Ms Candy Eagle, Angela (Wallasey)
Atkins, Charlotte Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston)
Baird, Vera Edwards, Huw
Barron, Kevin Ellman, Mrs Louise
Battle, John Ennis, Jeff
Bayley, Hugh Farrelly, Paul
Beard, Nigel Fisher, Mark
Beckett, Rt Hon Margaret Fitzpatrick, Jim
Begg, Miss Anne Fitzsimons, Mrs Lorna
Bell, Stuart Flint, Caroline
Bennett, Andrew Flynn, Paul
Benton, Joe Follett, Barbara
Berry, Roger Foster, Michael (Worcester)
Best, Harold Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings)
Blackman, Liz Foulkes, George
Blears, Ms Hazel Gardiner, Barry
Blizzard, Bob George, Rt Hon Bruce (Walsall S)
Boateng, Rt Hon Paul Gilroy, Linda
Bradley, Rt Hon Keith (Withington) Godsiff, Roger
Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) Goggins, Paul
Brennan, Kevin Griffiths, Jane (Reading E)
Brown, Rt Hon Nicholas (Newcastle E & Wallsend) Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S)
Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)
Bryant, Chris Grogan, John
Burgon, Colin Hain, Rt Hon Peter
Cairns, David Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale)
Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth) Hamilton, David (Midlothian)
Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) Hanson, David
Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) Harris, Tom (Glasgow Cathcart)
Caplin, Ivor Havard, Dai
Casale, Roger Healey, John
Caton, Martin Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N)
Cawsey, Ian Henderson, Ivan (Harwich)
Challen, Colin Hendrick, Mark
Chaytor, David Hepburn, Stephen
Clapham, Michael Heppell, John
Clark, Mrs Helen (Peterborough) Hesford, Stephen
Clark, Dr Lynda (Edinburgh Pentlands) Heyes, David
Hill, Keith
Clark, Paul (Gillingham) Hodge, Margaret
Clarke, Rt Hon Charles (Norwich S) Hood, Jimmy
Hoon, Rt Hon Geoffrey
Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) Hope, Phil
Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) Howells, Dr Kim
Clelland, David Hoyle, Lindsay
Coaker, Vernon Hughes, Beverley (Stretford)
Coffey, Ms Ann Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N)
Corbyn, Jeremy Humble, Mrs Joan
Corston, Jean Hutton, Rt Hon John
Cranston, Ross Iddon, Dr Brian
Crausby, David Illsley, Eric
Cummings, John Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough)
Cunningham, Rt Hon Dr Jack (Copeland) Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle)
Jones, Helen (Warrington N)
Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S) Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)
Cunningham, Tony (Workington) Jones, Kevan (N Durham)
Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S)
Dalyell, Tam Jowell, Rt Hon Tessa
Darling, Rt Hon Alistair Joyce, Eric
Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) Keeble, Ms Sally
David, Wayne Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston)
Davidson, Ian Keen, Ann (Brentford & Isleworth)
Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) Kemp, Fraser
Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) Khabra, Piara S
Davis, Rt Hon Terry (B'ham Hodge H) Kidney, David
King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth)
Dean, Mrs Janet King, Ms Oona (Bethnal Green)
Denham, Rt Hon John Knight, Jim (S Dorset)
Dhanda, Parmjit Kumar, Dr Ashok
Ladyman, Dr Stephen Rammell, Bill
Lammy, David Rapson, Syd
Lawrence, Mrs Jackie Raynsford, Rt Hon Nick
Laxton, Bob Reed, Andy (Loughborough)
Lazarowicz, Mark Robertson, John (Glasgow Anniesland)
Leslie, Christopher
Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) Roche, Mrs Barbara
Liddell, Rt Hon Mrs Helen
Linton, Martin Rooney, Terry
Lloyd, Tony Ross, Ernie
Love, Andrew Roy, Frank
Lucas, Ian Ruane, Chris
Luke, Iain Ruddock, Joan
Lyons, John Russell, Ms Christine (Chester)
McAvoy, Thomas Salter, Martin
McCabe, Stephen Sarwar, Mohammad
McCafferty, Chris Savidge, Malcolm
McCartney, Rt Hon Ian Sawford, Phil
McDonagh, Siobhain Shaw, Jonathan
MacDonald, Calum
MacDougall, John Sheerman, Barry
McFall, John Sheridan, Jim
McGuire, Mrs Anne Simon, Siôn
McIsaac, Shona Smith, Angela (Basildon)
McKechin, Ann Smith, Rt Hon Chris (Islington S)
McKenna, Rosemary Smith, Geraldine (Morecambe)
Mackinlay, Andrew Smith, Jacqui (Redditch)
McNamara, Kevin Smith, John (Glamorgan)
McNulty, Tony Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent)
MacShane, Denis Southworth, Helen
Mactaggart, Fiona Spellar, Rt Hon John
McWilliam, John
Mallaber, Judy Squire, Rachel
Mandelson, Rt Hon Peter Starkey, Dr Phyllis
Mann, John Steinberg, Gerry
Marris, Rob Stevenson, George
Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S) Stewart, David (Inverness E)
Marshall, David (Shettleston) Stewart, Ian (Eccles)
Martlew, Eric Stinchcombe, Paul
Meacher, Rt Hon Michael Stoate, Dr Howard
Merron, Gillian Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin
Michael, Rt Hon Alun Stringer, Graham
Milburn, Rt Hon Alan Stuart, Ms Gisela
Miliband, David
Miller, Andrew Sutcliffe, Gerry
Moffatt, Laura Tami, Mark
Mole, Chris Taylor, Rt Hon Ann (Dewsbury)
Moonie, Dr Lewis Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S)
Moran, Margaret Taylor, David (NW Leics)
Morgan, Julie Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W)
Morris, Rt Hon Estelle Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W)
Mullin, Chris Timms, Stephen
Munn, Ms Meg Tipping, Paddy
Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) Todd, Mark
Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) Touhig, Don
Murphy, Rt Hon Paul (Torfaen)
O'Brien, Bill (Normanton) Truswell, Paul
Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE)
O'Hara Edward Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown)
O'Neill, Martin
Organ, Diana Turner, Neil (Wigan)
Osborne, George (Tatton) Twigg, Derek (Halton)
Owen, Albert Twigg, Stephen (Enfield)
Palmer, Dr Nick Tynan, Bill
Pearson, Ian Vaz, Keith
Picking, Anne Vis, Dr Rudi
Pike, Peter Ward, Ms Claire
Plaskitt, James Watson, Tom
Pollard, Kerry Watts, David
Pond, Chris White, Brian
Pope, Greg Whitehead, Dr Alan
Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E)
Prescott, Rt Hon John Wicks, Malcolm
Primarolo, Dawn Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Swansea W)
Prosser, Gwyn
Purnell, James Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy)
Quin, Rt Hon Joyce Winnick, David
Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C) Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth)
Wood, Mike Wright, David (Telford)
Woodward, Shaun
Woolas, Phil Tellers for the Noes:
Worthington, Tony Mr. Nick Ainger and
Wray, James Dan Norris.

Question accordingly negatived.

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