Labour

People have a right to know the risks this Government is running with their care - Burnham & Thornton

Andy Burnham MP, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, said in response to the Government's decision to appeal the Information Commissioner's ruling that the Department of Health should publish its Risk Register:

"It is increasingly clear that Andrew Lansley is a man on the run. He is losing support day by day and, after this outrageous decision, people will be asking 'what is he trying to hide?'
 
"It is now clear that the Government's disastrous decision to reorganise the NHS at this time of financial risk has put patient care at risk. NHS London's risk register warned of "sub-optimal" patient care and "preventable harm to children."
 
"People have a right to know the risks this Government is running with their care and children's safety as a result of this reckless re-organisation. It is nothing short of an affront to Parliament to defy this clear ruling from the Information Commissioner and withhold information which could have a bearing on how Peers vote.
 
"We will not allow the Government to ride roughshod over Parliament in this way and will call on the Lords to enforce the Commissioner's ruling."

Baroness Thornton, Labour’s Health Minister in the Lords, said:

“It is perfectly clear that Health Ministers are playing judge and jury over what the Lords should and shouldn’t see about the likely consequences of the Government’s dangerous plans for our NHS.
 
“Earl Howe must be aware that this is now a matter of trust. Peers of all parties and none will not have been impressed that they will not be able to consider all the pertinent information about the Health Bill, and that begins to suggest a ministerial cover up.”