§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the guidance given to NHS trusts on communicating the results of an independent professional review to a complainant. [46536]
§ Mr. MilburnIndependent professional review was the third stage of the hospital clinical complaints procedure which was in place prior to April 1996. From 1 April 1996 new National Health Service complaints procedures were introduced which do not feature the same process of independent professional review.
§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct NHS trusts, following an independent professional review, to communicate all of the assessors' findings to the complainant. [46537]
§ Mr. MilburnIndependent professional review was the final stage of the hospital clinical complaints procedures which were replaced in April 1996. Assessors' reports were prepared in confidence for the regional director of public health, who subsequently advised the National Health Service hospital trust or health authority on any comment which would be appropriate on the clinical aspects of its reply to the complainant. This system has now been replaced.
Under the new procedures, clinical assessors are appointed to independent review panels to advise the panel on those aspects of the complaint involving clinical judgment. Assessors' reports are attached to the final panel report and distribution is the responsibility of the panel chairman within guidelines. The chairman has the right to withhold any part of the panel's report, and any or all of the assessors' reports to ensure confidentiality of clinical information. The procedures will be subject to a formal evaluation beginning this autumn.