Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he expects to produce proposals for reform of the complaints procedure used in the NHS when adverse medical events occur; [58143]
(2) if he will make a statement as to the policy adopted in the NHS when adverse health care events occur. [58142]
§ Ms BlearsWe are looking to introduce reforms to the national health service complaints system from 2002. As part of the reform process, we are considering how complaints can promote learning to help reduce risk to future patients and in this way improve quality of care and patient safety where relevant. We are also exploring how appropriate links can be made between complaints and the work of the national patient safety agency.
Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to amend the way in which provision for clinical negligence cases is made in the NHS accounts for England. [58144]
§ Ms BlearsNational health service summarised accounts are prepared to comply with accounting standards, United Kingdom Government accounting and procedures, resource accounting manual and Companies Acts. There are no changes planned to these standards and regulations that will affect the disclosure of clinical negligence liabilities in NHS accounts.