§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will consider setting up a central and independent body to hear and be responsible for complaints from nurses and others to do with hospital administration and treatment; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenNo. There is already the Health Service Commissioner to deal with complaints within his remit, including complaints put to him by NHS staff on behalf of patients. The Davies Report on Hospital Complaints Procedure, which my right hon. Friend is currently studying, reviews the whole question of the handling of complaints relating to matters affecting patients including complaints by staff. We shall announce our views on this report as soon as practicable.