Clause 17

Part of Health and Social Care Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:15 am on 17 January 2008.

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Photo of Sandra Gidley Sandra Gidley Shadow Minister, Health 9:15, 17 January 2008

I think that the hon. Gentleman would be best advised to rethink the matter on Report. I am concerned about unintended consequences. For example, if we are too prescriptive about bed occupancy regulations, we could create a conflict. When a person is in an emergency situation, will a hospital official say, “We cannot accept you because we would be in breach of the bed occupancy regulations”? That person could die not because of MRSA, but because they had to be moved to another hospital. Whatever capacity any Government build into the health system, those situations will arise. The hon. Gentleman must think through all the consequences of the amendment. It is well intentioned, but we need to ensure that the situation I described does not arise.