Hospital Wards: Inspections
Health

Michael Ellis (Northampton North, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to implement the Government's proposals that local people should inspect hospital wards; and how his Department will ensure that balanced and informed conclusions are made by such people.

Simon Burns (Minister of State (Health), Health; Chelmsford, Conservative)

Formal governance arrangements for the new patient-led inspections are being established. The new inspections will have patients' views at their heart from concept to delivery. Most importantly, patients and their representatives will drive the development of the new system, under the auspices of the National Quality Board, and a Department steering group.

The Department will be working closely with patient representative groups to ensure the involvement of patients at all stages, including development of the system, the inspection process and the validation of inspections. Local Involvement Networks, Local HealthWatch and HealthWatch England will also play a pivotal role during all stages of the project delivery to ensure the new system remains focused, and provides an informed view.

To ensure that the new inspection process delivers a balanced and informed conclusion, the Department will use lessons learned from existing inspections of the hospital environment, alongside extensive stakeholder engagement. Training and ongoing support will also be provided.