Ministers quizzed on professional regulation
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- Published: Tuesday, 09 June 2015 07:56
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During the debate on the Queen’s Speech Andy Burnham MP raised the issue of the ‘omission’ of a Bill to improve regulation of healthcare professionals. Backbench Tory MP, Sir Peter Bottomley, raised the case of ‘Dr David Barnett, a good dentist in my constituency, who was reported to the dental regulators on trumped-up charges.’ The Minister replied that the Government was still ‘committed’ to making progress on the issue.
Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab):
“Progress was also made on patient safety, and the Secretary of State deserves credit for that, but, again, it is important for the momentum not to be lost in this Parliament. In that context, there appears to be a significant omission from the Gracious Speech. Improving the regulation of health professionals was a central recommendation that emerged from the Francis Report, and a Bill to modernise professional regulation has long been anticipated. It would have had cross-party support, and would have enabled the regulators to get on with the job of protecting and safeguarding the public from poor care.
“The failure to introduce such a Bill means that there is now no prospect of reducing the time it takes to deal with complaints, which, at present, is typically 15 months from start to finish. Jackie Smith, chief executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, has said that she is “deeply disappointed” by the omission, and that it is a “major setback” to the response to the Francis report. Can the Secretary of State explain why no such Bill was mentioned in the Queen’s Speech, and tell us when it can be expected? We need a professional regulatory regime that is modern, up to date and fit for purpose.”
Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con):
On health, I have the case of Dr David Barnett, a good dentist in my constituency, who was reported to the dental regulators on trumped-up charges and has not been able to practise for over six months. I am going to take that up with them, but I hope that the Health Committee, without taking up individual cases, will look at a collection of cases and ask, “Is there a pattern where there could be change?”
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Jane Ellison):
“The right hon. Member for Leigh (Mr Burnham) asked specifically about the Bill on professional regulation. I can confirm that the Government remain committed to taking forward recommendations for reformed legislation on regulation of the health and care professions. Work is being done on that important piece of business.”
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