HC Deb 20 June 2003 vol 407 cc480-1W
Dr. Naysmith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to give the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection the power to publish performance indicators. [119206]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Under the powers in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, currently before Parliament, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) will publish the performance ratings for National Health Service bodies in 2004. It will also be required to devise and publish the criteria upon which the award of the rating is based.

CHAI will also be given the function of publishing national performance data on the provision of healthcare by NHS bodies.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on why, under Clause 100 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection have a duty to keep only the Secretary of State informed about the provision, availability and quality of health services. [120280]

Dr. Ladyman

[holding answer 19 June 2003]: Clause 100 (general functions of CHAI) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill amends the Care Standards Act 2000 by inserting a new section 5A, so that the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) will keep the Secretary of State informed about the provision, availability and quality of independent health care in England.

Subsection (3) of the new section provides for CHAI to make information about independent health services available to the public. CHAI will also, at clause 121, be placed under a duty to lay before Parliament an annual report of the way in which it has exercised its functions during the year.