§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines have been put in place to ensure that, in contentious disciplinary cases within NHS trusts, evidence submitted to an investigation is seen in full;[137148]
(2) what steps his Department takes to ensure that disciplinary procedures within the NHS trusts outstanding for 18 months are dealt with promptly. [137151]
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§ Mr. HuttonNational health service trusts are responsible for the establishment of their own local disciplinary procedures.
We have been working very closely with the British Medical Association and British Dental Association to finalise a new national framework for doctors and dentists. The main elements of the framework were included in the joint statement of agreed principles which was published in September 2003 as part of the consultant contract consultation.
The Department has taken action to ensure that disciplinary cases are dealt with promptly. In the short term a senior human resources expert, working with the support of an expert steering group from across the Department, NHS and General Medical Council is available to help local management to resolve outstanding cases quickly. In addition, the National Clinical Assessment Authority is available to assist with case management.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate his Department has made of the costs of(a) suspensions and (b) disciplinary procedures in the NHS for (i) Coventry, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) England; [137150]
(2) how many suspensions lasting over 18 months there are in the NHS for (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England. [137152]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department routinely collects information on hospital and community medical and hospital dental staff suspended for more than six months. The information does not include cases where the practitioner is not suspended.
For the third quarter 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, there was one suspension reported to the Department lasting over 18 months in Coventry and a total of 13 in England. The total reported cumulative cost of suspensions lasting more than six months for the period 1 July-30 September 2003 in Coventry is £398,750, West Midlands (including Coventry) £489,755 and an estimated £3.5 million in England (including the above figures).