Clause 10 - Establishment of Patients' Forums
Health and Social Care Bill
6:30 pm
Dr Peter Brand (Isle of Wight, Liberal Democrat)
I am in no way persuaded by the Minister, which is unusual, because he usually makes a strong case. I do not understand why we need research or a consultant to establish the scope for a national body. Perhaps he wants to be absolutely certain that a national body will be tied to ministerial restrictions, so that it restricts itself to comments on matters on which the Minister is prepared to receive representations. If we are to have a national body representing patients forums, it is for those patients forums collectively to determine the agenda of that body. The only study that the Minister must do is into how to fund it. Spending £20,000 on calculating how much it might cost to duplicate ACHCEW seems a waste of Government money. We are being presented with £20,000-worth of buying time and paying off organisations that recognise a need for a national presence on the matter.