Gosport Independent Panel: Publication of Report

Debate between Jeremy Hunt and Eddie Hughes

Wednesday 20th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

Of course that is an issue that we will look into. I would just say, in the interests of transparency, that the Department of Health has been on the same journey as the whole of the rest of the NHS with respect to patient safety issues.

[Eddie Hughes (Walsall North) (Con)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that this report highlights the importance of the CQC to the NHS and patient safety? Will he consider giving that body greater regulatory powers?

[Mr Hunt]

The legal independence of the CQC, and its ability to act as the nation’s whistleblower-in-chief, is one of the big, important reforms of recent years, and I think that will give the public confidence. However, I do not think that that is the entire answer, and I still think there is an issue about who families go to when they think they are being ignored by the establishment.