Health secretary could prop up unsafe services with new power, say NHS leaders

New powers given to the health secretary as part of proposed legislation could make local services unsafe, NHS Providers has warned the House of Commons health select committee.

In a letter to committee chair Jeremy Hunt, seen exclusively by HSJ, the membership organisation said proposed new powers over local reconfiguration outlined in the government’s recent health white paper must include an “explicit” test that proves the intervention will not worsen patient safety.

The letter, signed by Chris Hopson and Saffron Cordery, CEO and deputy CEO respectively of NHS Providers, said: “Given the overwhelming importance of patient safety in these considerations, there should be an explicit test that use of the  [reconfiguration] power must maintain or improve safety before the power can be exercised."

“As part of the exercise of the power, the providers and integrated care system concerned, NHS England and the public should all be consulted on the relevant safety issues before the power can be exercised, with those views then made public.”

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Source: HSJ, 20 April 2021