§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the terms of reference of the inquiry into cardiac surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary include the role played by his Department. [55229]
§ Mr. MilburnMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the terms of reference of the Public Inquiry into heart surgery in Bristol on 12 August 1998 as follows
To inquire into the management of the care of children receiving complex cardiac surgical services at the Bristol Royal Infirmary between 1984 and 1995 and relevant related issues; to make findings as to the adequacy of the services provided; to establish what action was taken both within and outside the hospital to deal with concerns raised about the surgery and to identify any failure to take appropriate action promptly; to reach conclusions from these events and to make recommendations which could help to secure high quality care across the NHS.It is for the Inquiry to determine how it meets the terms of reference. We have instructed the Department to cooperate fully with the Inquiry and to make available all relevant documents.