§ Mr. Fidlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for improving the present arrangements for handling complaints involving hospitals.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have decided to appoint an independent and authoritative Committee with the following terms of reference
To provide the hospital service with practical guidance in the form of a code of principles and practice for recording and investigating matters, affecting patients, which go wrong in hospitals, for receiving complaints or suggestions by patients, staff, or others about such matters, and for communicating the results of investigations: and to make recommendations".Mr. Michael Davies, Q.C. has accepted our invitation to serve as chairman of the committee. In appointing other members our intention is to include people with relevant experience in the hospital service and of similar problems in other fields and also people who are able to express the point of view of patients.