Contributions
2,124 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Future of the National Health ServiceWill the hon. Lady forgive me? I was not questioning the integrity of what she said, but I was suggesting that there was no risk of that system as she described it developing in…22 Sept 2021HANSARD Future of the National Health ServiceMy hon. Friend makes a fair point about the need for us to create the conditions—the physical spaces with the technology—in which the workforce, which is the heart of our NHS, can…22 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)There are a few points that I will seek to address. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Nottingham North for highlighting the accountability of the Secretary of State—he also…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)I will endeavour not to be on my feet at that moment. Clause 33 inserts new section 1GA into the National Health Service Act 2006, which sets out a duty on the Secretary of State…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)The hon. Lady alludes to it not being normal form for a Whip to intervene, but her contribution is, as ever, extremely valuable in this context—particularly given the work that…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)I do not know whether the shadow Minister has seen what I was about to say, but after two years of doing this together, he has become relatively psychic. I anticipate that the…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)It is now in my inbox.21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)The shadow Minister is an able parliamentarian. I hesitate to say with certainty, but my belief is none at present. However, I caveat that by saying I would not wish to mislead…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)I believe that all appointments, including that one, are conducted entirely appropriately, in line with Cabinet Office guidance. I move on to the shadow Minister’s substantive…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)As ever, I am grateful to the shadow Minister. He should be optimistic—perhaps not on this issue, but more broadly—about the reception of some of his suggestions. I think I…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)I have always been clear that the Bill adopts an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach to driving forward greater integration, not only within the NHS in a locality but…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)A foundation Bill.21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Ninth sitting)I am grateful to the shadow Minister for that question, which reminds me of some of the questions that he used to ask me in this room about what the future held when we discussed…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)One particular example comes to mind, but given that it is a live one, I will not use it. However, if I semi-anonymise it, there are decisions that are made locally and followed…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)We anticipate the guidance setting out what is proportionate, the criteria and the appropriate point at which an intervention can be considered. I come back to the point that too…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)I will come to the shadow Minister’s point, but I just want to get through the points he made earlier in his preamble. He mentioned the quote in the Health Service Journal article…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)I fear we may not have consensus in Committee at this point, but none the less I will endeavour to answer some of the points raised. I am always grateful to the shadow Minister…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)I suspect that, with this, we get to the main event of this afternoon’s proceedings. I begin with clause 37, which introduces powers for the Secretary of State to give directions…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)I will be brief, because I believe that in responding to the shadow Minister’s amendment I set out the intentions behind the clause and the reasons why it is drafted as it is.…21 Sept 2021HANSARDHealth and Care Bill (Tenth sitting)If I may, I will turn to the amendments first and then the substantive clause. I am grateful to hon. Members for tabling the amendments. I said that the previous clause was coming…21 Sept 2021