Clause 13 - Patients Forums: Supplementary
Health and Social Care Bill
7:00 pm
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
I want to speak to amendment No. 255 and the consequential amendment. The amendment would simply change the geometry of clause 13 to make it clear that the regulations relating to funding for patients forums and the payment of allowance to members of those bodies are in a different category and must be dealt with differently from other issues such as the procedures that the bodies follow in their deliberations.
The main concern that has been expressed about the bodies that the Government are putting in place relates to their independence. We all know that he who pays the piper tends to call the tune. Therefore, there is great concern to ensure that the bodies are funded on a proper basis. To that end, we have tabled amendment No. 255, which says that the Secretary of State shall, rather than may, by regulations, make provisions in relation to the funding and the payment of allowances.
That will not be an option for the Secretary of State. He will have to do it. As the Bill is currently drafted, he may then make other regulations in relation to the operation of patients forums. I am looking for an acknowledgment from the Minister that, because of the sensitivities about independence, there is a qualitative difference between the regulations about funding, allowances and payment to members and the other issues that will properly be dealt with by regulations as and when the Secretary of State deems it appropriate.