HC Deb 24 March 1998 vol 309 c134W
33. Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to involve frontline NHS staff in health service reforms. [34402]

Mr. Milburn

The National Health Service White PaperThe New NHS: Modern, Dependable (Cmd 3807), published on 9 December 1997, makes clear our commitment to work closely with all those involved in implementing the changes needed to ensure a health service fit for the next century: NHS staff, users and carers, and partner organisations.

Further emphasis is given to this commitment by the establishment of a taskforce to explore new approaches to staff involvement and identify how frontline health service staff can work with local managers to shape new patterns of healthcare. The 13-strong panel which includes a porter, nurses, doctors, managers, a national union officer and representatives from outside industry will report to Ministers in the autumn.