§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures he proposes to ensure that the patient advocates employed by the Patient Advocate and Liaison Service will be independent of the trusts employing them; [139965]
(2) what plans he has to involve voluntary organisations in the proposals for advocacy in the Patient Advocate and Liaison Service. [139966]
§ Ms StuartThe National Health Service Plan announced the creation of a Patient Advocacy Liaison Service to be established within every NHS trust.
Over the last few months we have held a series of national stakeholder seminars to develop the detail of the new arrangements for public and patient involvement, including the development of PALS and mechanisms for ensuring independence where appropriate. The output from the seminars will be taken into account when developing the guidance for the new arrangements, which we expect to launch in the new year.