There has been strong interest from the public in order to publish the findings of a risk assessment undertaken in relation to the recent Health and Social Care Bill. The government were keen to keep the findings from the transitional risk register a secret. However, under the Freedom of Information act they have lost that particular battle and the findings of the assessment should be published in around a month.
It was thought that the ruling regarding this bill could have an effect on the way other bills are looked into and the risks that were behind the decision making progress. Top civil servants in the process have to think the unthinkable when making such severe changes to areas such as health and what could possibly go wrong.
Whilst the tribunal was ongoing the Health and Social Care Bill was passed through Parliament and was now a law. The findings of the risk assessment should no doubt include the fears about the privatisation of certain NHS trusts. Many private healthcare firms are looking to snap up different arms of the NHS and many trusts are entertaining the idea that this would lead to greater competition thus better quality of care.
The government has already appealed to the information tribunal, no doubt due to the implications it may have on other, future bills. But it is very much in the public’s interest to have transparency especially when it affects the widespread public for issues as important as the National Health Service.
Related articles
- Health and Social Care Bill passed by Parliament (pmiuk.wordpress.com)
- Information Tribunal orders Lansley: Publish NHS Risk Register “immediately” (leftfootforward.org)
