Clause 17 - Annual Reports
NHS Reform & Health Care Professions Bill
2:30 pm
Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest, Independent)
I beg to move amendment No. 212, in page 21, line 44, at end insert—
''(e) the Members of the House of Commons representing constituencies in the relevant locality.''
It gives me great pleasure to move the amendment. I have not been here long, but I have achieved one or two ambitions. One of them was to see an amendment that had not necessarily been tabled by the Government achieve something. This amendment is a tremendous opportunity for that. It is supported not merely by the Opposition, but by me—I would prefer to sit in the middle if there were a seat.
From the response to the listening exercise, ''Involving Patients and the Public in Healthcare'', one can see that the Government have accepted that the amendment is necessary. In paragraphs 3.21 and 3.28 on pages 10 and 11, they agree that local MPs should be the people to receive forum reports and the amendment seeks to enshrine that requirement in the Bill. It would show that the Government and the Under-Secretary are listening—as she promised that she would—and taking action. I want to see those in my amendment added to the list of people who receive reports from forums.