Clause 7 - Functions of Overview and Scrutiny Committees
Health and Social Care Bill
4:30 pm
Mr David Madel (South West Bedfordshire, Conservative)
With this it will be convenient to take the following: Amendment No. 237 in clause 9, page 8, line 8, at end add—
`(4) It is the duty of every body to which this section applies to commission independent advocacy services to support any formal complaints made against that body and to support patients' use and access to services provided by, or under arrangements made by, that body.'.
New clause 5—Patient Advocacy and Liaison Services—
`.—(1) The Secretary of State shall make regulations requiring all NHS trusts and Primary Care trusts to set up services to be known as Patient Advocacy and Liaison Services (PALS) and making provision for such services, including the establishment of links with Patients' Forums.
(2) It is the duty of each PALS to provide advocacy services to patients both in relation to everyday use of services provided by, or under arrangements made by, the relevant trust and in relation to complaints, including formal complaints, about the provision of such services.
(3) Before making regulations for the purposes of subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State shall consult such bodies as represent the interests of persons likely to be affected by the regulations.'.