Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Department of Health

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Jackie Doyle-Price) has made the following written statement:

Following the announcement of the Government’s intention to hold an inquiry into infected blood on 11th July, I am writing to update the House on progress.

Bishop James Jones, former Chair of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and Chair of the Gosport Independent Panel, had a telephone meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood and a number of the campaign groups on 27th July. Following this meeting, the Bishop informed the Department of Health of the request to remove the 18th August deadline for views on the format and scope of the upcoming independent inquiry. The Government also heard this view from the correspondence we have received. It is important that the inquiry is informed by the views of the people who have been affected by contaminated blood.

The Government has therefore decided to extend the deadline to 18th October 2017, to ensure that we hear as many opinions as possible. The government has written to the beneficiaries of the payment schemes directly to inform them of this change. We are grateful to those who have already sent their views; these will be taken into consideration.

We are also aware of the requests from some stakeholders to move the sponsorship of the inquiry to another Government department. We can confirm that this is being considered as part of the consultation and that no decision has yet been taken on sponsorship.

The Government will provide a further update to the House after the consultation closes on 18th October.

Answering body: Department of Health

Following the announcement of the Government’s intention to hold an inquiry into infected blood on 11th July, I am writing to update the House on progress.

Bishop James Jones, former Chair of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and Chair of the Gosport Independent Panel, had a telephone meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood and a number of the campaign groups on 27th July. Following this meeting, the Bishop informed the Department of Health of the request to remove the 18th August deadline for views on the format and scope of the upcoming independent inquiry. The Government also heard this view from the correspondence we have received. It is important that the inquiry is informed by the views of the people who have been affected by contaminated blood.

The Government has therefore decided to extend the deadline to 18th October 2017, to ensure that we hear as many opinions as possible. The government has written to the beneficiaries of the payment schemes directly to inform them of this change. We are grateful to those who have already sent their views; these will be taken into consideration.

We are also aware of the requests from some stakeholders to move the sponsorship of the inquiry to another Government department. We can confirm that this is being considered as part of the consultation and that no decision has yet been taken on sponsorship.

The Government will provide a further update to the House after the consultation closes on 18th October.

Answering body: Department of Health

My Rt Hon friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb) has made the following written ministerial statement.

On 10 July, I announced the establishment of the Gosport Independent Panel, chaired by Bishop James Jones, set up to review documentary evidence held across a range of organisations concerning the initial care of families’ relatives and the subsequent investigations into their deaths in Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

Since then, the Bishop has begun working with affected families to ensure their views are taken into account in shaping the Terms of Reference.

I can now announce the Gosport Independent Panel’s agreed Terms of Reference; and the appointment of four further members of the Panel.

In summary, the remit of the Gosport Independent Panel will be to:

Consult with the families of the deceased and of those treated to ensure that the views of those affected are taken into consideration;

Obtain, examine and analyse documentation from all relevant organisations and individuals (governmental and non-governmental).

Produce a report which will provide an overview of the information reviewed by the Panel and will illustrate how the information disclosed adds to public understanding of these events and their aftermath.

The four additional Panel members I have appointed are:

Dr Bill Kirkup, CBE, former member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and currently the chair of an independent investigation into neonatal and maternal deaths at Morecambe Bay Hospital. Dr Kirkup will finish this work before taking up his place on the Gosport Panel substantively.

Dr Colin Currie, as a geriatrician, has wide experience in the care of older people in acute, rehabilitation and respite settings; and also has expertise in clinical governance, hip fracture care, and policy on the integration of health and social care.

David Hencke is an investigative journalist and writer.

Duncan Jarrett, OBE, is a former Scotland Yard Commander and an experienced mediator.

Christine Gifford is a recognised expert in the field of access to information. She joined the Panel in July, and has started work to ensure maximum possible disclosure of the documentary evidence to the Panel.

I am making these appointments in view of the skill set required for the Panel’s work. The new Panel members are experts in their respective fields and I am grateful to each of them for agreeing to take on this task. Other Panel members may be appointed at a later date. I will announce any future appointments through a press release.

This announcement marks the beginning of very important work for the Independent Panel members, relevant organisations and individuals in addressing the concerns and questions raised by family members over the years.

The review by the Independent Panel is expected to complete by the end of 2017. The Secretary of State for Health will make arrangements for publication of the final report to Parliament.

A copy of the detailed Terms of Reference has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.

Answering body: Department of Health

On 10 July, I announced the establishment of the Gosport Independent Panel, chaired by Bishop James Jones, set up to review documentary evidence held across a range of organisations concerning the initial care of families’ relatives and the subsequent investigations into their deaths in Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

Since then, the Bishop has begun working with affected families to ensure their views are taken into account in shaping the Terms of Reference.

I can now announce the Gosport Independent Panel’s agreed Terms of Reference; and the appointment of four further members of the Panel.

In summary, the remit of the Gosport Independent Panel will be to:

Consult with the families of the deceased and of those treated to ensure that the views of those affected are taken into consideration;

Obtain, examine and analyse documentation from all relevant organisations and individuals (governmental and non-governmental).

Produce a report which will provide an overview of the information reviewed by the Panel and will illustrate how the information disclosed adds to public understanding of these events and their aftermath.

The four additional Panel members I have appointed are:

Dr Bill Kirkup, CBE, former member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and currently the chair of an independent investigation into neonatal and maternal deaths at Morecambe Bay Hospital. Dr Kirkup will finish this work before taking up his place on the Gosport Panel substantively.

Dr Colin Currie, as a geriatrician, has wide experience in the care of older people in acute, rehabilitation and respite settings; and also has expertise in clinical governance, hip fracture care, and policy on the integration of health and social care.

David Hencke is an investigative journalist and writer.

Duncan Jarrett, OBE, is a former Scotland Yard Commander and an experienced mediator.

Christine Gifford is a recognised expert in the field of access to information. She joined the Panel in July, and has started work to ensure maximum possible disclosure of the documentary evidence to the Panel.

I am making these appointments in view of the skill set required for the Panel’s work. The new Panel members are experts in their respective fields and I am grateful to each of them for agreeing to take on this task. Other Panel members may be appointed at a later date. I will announce any future appointments through a press release.

This announcement marks the beginning of very important work for the Independent Panel members, relevant organisations and individuals in addressing the concerns and questions raised by family members over the years.

The review by the Independent Panel is expected to complete by the end of 2017. The Secretary of State for Health will make arrangements for publication of the final report to Parliament.

A copy of the detailed Terms of Reference has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.