Health and Social Care Reform

Sean Woodcock, the Labour MP for Banbury, asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Andrew Gwynne, whether he plans to hold discussions with NHS staff and patients on his plans for reforming NHS health and social care services. In response, Andrew Gwynne stated that the government not only wants to discuss with patients and staff, but they want them to help shape the 10-year plan for the next decade of reform, which will take the NHS from the worst crisis in its history and make it fit for the future. He also acknowledged that social care needs to change, and the government will work with care workers and care users to build consensus for and shape a new national care service. Sean Woodcock followed up by agreeing that the voices of frontline staff, whether in hospitals or carers, are often ignored when it comes to whistleblowing, and that they are sometimes silenced by threats to report them to regulatory bodies. He asked the Minister if he agrees that there needs to be greater accountability for managers who ignore whistleblowers, and that there should be a regulatory body with oversight of medical managers. Andrew Gwynne agreed with Woodcock, stating that the Labour government will pursue an agenda of greater accountability, transparency and candour when it comes to those making managerial and executive decisions in the NHS. Dave Doogan, the SNP MP for Angus and Perthshire Glens, intervened to emphasize the importance of taking the staff component along when integrating health and social care, as well as the need for sufficient funding. He noted that health in Scotland is funded £323 per head more than in England, and asked the Minister to commit to ensuring that English people enjoy the same health funding as people in Scotland. Andrew Gwynne responded by stating that there will be announcements in the near future on the government's plans for social care, and that the Labour government understands the integration agenda and the need to fix both the NHS and social care.