Lords debates Health Service Safety Investigations Bill
30 October 2019
Members of the Lords, including a doctor and a surgeon, discussed the key principles and purpose of the Health Service Safety Investigations Bill during second reading, on Tuesday 29 October.
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- Bills and legislation: Health Service Safety Investigations Bill
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Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary in the Department of Health and Social Care, opened the debate on the bill and responded on behalf of the government.
Committee stage, the first chance for line-by-line scrutiny, is yet to be scheduled.
Health Service Safety Investigations Bill summary
This bill aims to:
- establish the Health Service Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) as an independent statutory body to conduct investigations into incidents during the provision of NHS services, or at premises where such services are provided
- create a ‘safe space' wherein participants can provide information to an HSSIB investigation by imposing a prohibition on the disclosure of information held
- amend the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to give English NHS bodies the power to appoint Medical Examiners
- place a responsibility on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure enough Medical Examiners are appointed, resourced and their performance monitored.
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Image: PA