Health Bill

Lord Sentamu Excerpts

Committee stage
Wednesday 28th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)]

My Lords, I agree that it is absolutely necessary to have clarity on the transition to the new system, and I add my voice to those noble Lords who have talked about the need for clarity for the staff. Successful reform, which we must have, both for patients and all staff, absolutely depends on retaining the expertise, experience and commitment of the staff. If we expect that commitment, we have to give them some security and knowledge of what will happen to their careers and their families—of whether they are going to be made redundant.

This is of course about the systems and cost, but it is also about the networks—the cancer network mentioned by my noble friend Lady Morgan. It is about the consultants, the doctors and nurses, and the people who keep the hospitals going: the cooks and cleaners, many of whom have been contracted out. Those contracts are bound to change as well. The clarity we are all asking my noble friend the Minister for is critical if we are going to ensure the success of this new enterprise.

[Lord Sentamu (CB)]

My Lords, first, I declare an interest in respect of my work with NHS England. I was appointed chair of the sickle cell and thalassaemia organisation, which was not easy work. We did not know whether the people who were coming to make their representations were from a particular trust or had the authority of the then chief executive of NHS England. It was not an easy job.