Clause 44 - Reviews of data
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill
8:55 am
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam, Liberal Democrat)
This group of amendments seeks clarification from the Minister and the Government about their intentions under clause 44. The explanatory notes state:
''This clause enables the CHAI to review the quality of any data collected by others on health care provided by the NHS or for bodies and to make a report or publish a summary of its findings.''
However, clause 44 seems to suggest that the commission has the discretion to publish if it wishes rather than be under an obligation to publish. Our amendment seeks to delete the words in clause 44(2) after ''publish'' to the end and to insert the words ''a report''. That would make it clear in the Bill that a report should be published.
Will the Minister clarify the Government's intention in the matter and say whether the amendment is acceptable or give us an assurance that a report will, in all normal circumstances, be published?