§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review his policy that, under the hospital consultants complaints procedure, a complaint to the health service commissioner about a consultant's clinical judgment cannot progress to stage 3 if the consultant in question does not agree to co-operate; and if he will make a statement. [14725]
§ Mr. HoramUnder the existing legislation, the Health Service Commissioner may not investigate a complaint about action arising solely from the exercise of clinical judgment. The Government have introduced a Bill to extend the commissioner's jurisdiction to cover complaints about clinical judgment, and this is being considered currently by Parliament. The commissioner has wide-ranging powers to require co-operation with his investigations where necessary. There are no plans to change this.