HC Deb 02 December 1997 vol 302 cc181-2W
Dr. Naysmith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards developing a new NHS charter. [18484]

Mr. Milburn

We announced on 8 October that Greg Dyke, chairman and chief executive of Pearson Television would lead the work to develop a new National Health Service Charter. Mr. Dyke met with his team of advisers, drawn from health professions, patient representative and user groups, trade unions, the NHS and other organisations on 10 November. The King's Fund has also been commissioned to undertake some evaluation work on the current Patient's Charter. The plan is to publish a draft Charter next summer.