§ Baroness Noakesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the status of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel being set up to consider major service changes in the National Health Service; and [HL289]
Who are the members of the independent reconfiguration panel; and [HL290]
Whether the proceedings of the independent reconfiguration panel will be published; and [HL291]
How the advice of the independent reconfiguration panel will be made known, including whether the Secretary of State for Health accepts the panel's advice; and [HL292]
Whether the independent reconfiguration panel will consider all major service changes and, if not, what criteria will determine whether the panel considers such changes. [HL293]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings Heath; Following discussions with the Cabinet Office, the Independent Reconfiguration Panel has recently been granted advisory non-departmental public body status. This 73WA reflects the panel's need to be sufficiently independent in providing authoritative advice to the Secretary of State for Health. The panel chairman, Dr Barrett, was appointed by the Secretary of State from a shortlist of candidates. We expect to make an announcement on the other members shortly.
The panel will offer expert independent advice to the Secretary of State for Health on any contested proposals for reconfiguration in England that he asks the panel to consider. In deciding to seek advice from the panel, the Secretary of State for Health will wish to be satisfied that all other options for resolutions have first been fully explored. Only those contested proposals, where it is clear that all other options have been exhausted, are likely to be referred to the panel.
The panel's advice to the Secretary of State for Health, and the basis on which that advice was formulated, will be published. The Secretary of State for Health will not be bound to accept the panel's advice and, as at present, the final decision will rest with him.