Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care

My Rt Hon. Friend the Secertary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock) has made the following written statement:

Today the report of the Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by the former breast surgeon Ian Paterson has been published.

This report follows two years of work by the Inquiry, led by Bishop Graham James. The Bishop has adopted a strong commitment to a “patients and families first” approach to public disclosure, which means that the process of public disclosure began earlier this morning with the patients and families themselves.

The report contains an analysis of the circumstances surrounding Ian Paterson’s malpractice that has affected so many patients and considers other past and current practices. It also tells the stories of patients who came forward to provide evidence to the Inquiry, which bears testament to their courage. As such it makes for difficult reading and it is with deep regret that we have to acknowledge the failure of the NHS and the independent sector to protect patients from Paterson’s malpractice.

The public should be able to trust that a health professional will never again be allowed to place personal gain or advancement over the best interests of his or her patients whether care is funded by the NHS or privately. It is therefore essential that the whole of the health sector responds quickly and effectively to the lessons of this inquiry. The Government will give a thorough and detailed consideration of its findings over the coming weeks.

We expect now for all the relevant agencies and organisations both nationally and locally, and across the whole healthcare sector to give this report urgent and thorough attention.

Once that work is done, the relevant agencies will decide what steps to take next.

Copies of the report will be laid before the House and will be available from the Vote Office and at: https://www.gov.uk

An oral statement will be delivered to the House today.

Answering body: Department of Health and Social Care

My Hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Mental Health, Inequalities and Suicide Prevention (Jackie Doyle-Price) has made the following written statement:

It is normal practice, when a government department proposes to undertake a contingent liability in excess of £300,000 for which there is not statutory authority, for the Minister concerned to present a departmental Minute to Parliament giving particulars of the liability created and explaining the circumstances; and to refrain from incurring the liability until fourteen parliamentary sitting days after the issue of the statement, except in cases of special urgency.

I have today laid a departmental Minute proposing to provide an indemnity that is necessary in respect of a Department of Health and Social Care established non-statutory, independent inquiry into the issues raised by the malpractice of the former breast surgeon, Ian Paterson, in the independent sector and the NHS. The actions of Ian Paterson have affected a significant number of patients. The disclosures about the seriousness and extent of his malpractice are deeply and profoundly shocking. The Inquiry reflects the Government’s commitments to ensuring lessons are learnt in the interest of patient protection and safety, both in the independent sector and the NHS.

In 2017, the Minister of State for Health announced the establishment of the Inquiry (HCWS323, on 7 December 2017) to be chaired by The Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich. This indemnity will cover the entire duration of the Inquiry’s work, from December 2017 until when the Inquiry submits its report, now expected at the end of 2019. The indemnity will cover the Chair and all independent advisers appointed to the Inquiry against any liability for any act done or omission made honestly and in good faith in the execution of his or her duty as such, or in the purported execution of his or her duty as such. The indemnity only applies to acts done or omissions made during the course of the Inquiry. If the liability is called, provision for any payment will be sought through the normal Supply procedure.

The Treasury has approved the proposal in principle. If, during the period of fourteen parliamentary sitting days beginning on the date on which this Minute was laid before Parliament, a member signifies an objection by giving notice of a Parliamentary Question or by otherwise raising the matter in Parliament, final approval to proceed with incurring the liability will be withheld pending an examination of the objection.

I attach a copy of the departmental Minute.