Dr Kerr and Mr Haslam

HL Deb 04 February 2002 vol 631 cc73-4WA

Lord Acton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will announce the names of the chair and panel members for the independent investigation into the handling of complaints against Dr Kerr and Mr Haslam. [HL2665]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath):

We are pleased to announce that Mr Nigel Pleming QC has agreed to chair this investigation. Mr Pleming has considerable experience in health law, including mental health law.

We are also pleased to announce that Ms Ruth Lesirge and Ms Ros Alstead have agreed to be panel members. Ms Lesirge is chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation. Ms Alstead is Director of Quality and Operations and Nursing at the South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust.

Mr Pleming and the inquiry panel will start work shortly. They will be holding early meetings with those involved to discuss the issues to be covered in the investigation.