HL Deb 08 July 2004 vol 663 cc106-7WA

The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether officials of the Clinical Governance Support Team of the Department of Health intervened in the arrangements of the forthcoming conference organised by the Nursing Times to prevent a speaker from Atkins Medical Information Services from being included on the agenda; if so, on what basis; and with whose authority.[HL3497]

Lord Warner:

The Essence of Care conference held on 30 June 2004 was organised by EMAPmap Healthcare in association with Professional Nurse and Nursing Times and sponsored by Atkins Medical Information Services.

Discussions were held with the conference organisers about potential conflicts of interest between some of the speakers and the sponsors. However, no member of the Clinical Governance Support Team intervened with the conference organisers to prevent a speaker from Atkins Medical Information Services from being included on the agenda.

The CGST fully supported the aims of the event and had always committed two members of its staff to present at it, whatever the circumstances.