Clause 4
Health Bill [Lords]
6:00 pm
Stephen O'Brien (Shadow Minister, Health; Eddisbury, Conservative)
I am grateful for that perfectly fair response. I dare say that the Minister will be aware of others in addition to LINks and patients having a voice, which we have discussed. For instance, on the Health and Social Care Bill we took evidence, because it was not a Bill generated in the House of Lords, from, among others, institutions such as Which?, and consumers who might have a patient’s view. That is an interesting point and could therefore be included.
The other point relates to where formal staff representational positions are in place. I am sure that the Minister is as aware as I am—those of us from the north-west, Mr. O’Hara, are particularly aware of this—that the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel continues to rail against the fact that it is never consulted. There has always been a great turf war between various effective union representations of ambulance staff, and the association continues to fail to be represented. That is an example of how a real effect could be achieved. Therefore if the association were to be included it would be extremely pleased, as that would be an improvement in its position that it has sought for many years.