§ Lord Graham of Edmontonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish their proposals for the regulation of the health professions. [HL1594]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathWe have published draft orders under the Health Act 1999 containing provisions to set up a new Nursing and Midwifery Council and a new Health Professions Council. These will replace the existing United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, the four national boards and the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. The orders will he published for three months before debate in Parliament. A period of consultation will last until 1 June 2001. Copies of both draft orders have been placed in the Library.
Appointments to the shadow Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health Professions Council are under way. These appointments should be made in early April for the shadow councils to start work as soon as possible afterwards. The shadow councils will have the status of advisory groups until the new councils are statutorily established in April 2002.