§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for reforming patient consultation in the national health service; and if he will make a statement. [1841]
§ Ms BlearsSections 7 to 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 make provision for strengthening patient and public consultation and involvement in the operation of the national health service. Local authority overview and scrutiny committees will scrutinise the NHS including decisions on local NHS reorganisations and service change. NHS bodies will have a statutory duty to make arrangements with a view to securing that the public are involved in and consulted on the planning of NHS services and decisions affecting the operation of those services. We intend to build on these foundations to make sure patients and the public are at the heart of shaping and developing NHS services in the future.