Mike Penning calls for natural justice to prevail in the drafting of the new NHS Redress Bill.

Speaking in the House of Commons, yesterday, Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has criticised plans to allow the NHS to investigate complaints made against itself.

“If patients or their loved ones feel that they have suffered at the hands of the NHS, they have already been substantially hurt and often feel enormously let down.” he said, “If they are told, ‘Well, it can’t be an independent inquiry. The trust will do the inquiry themselves,’ they will not understand.”

Speaking afterwards, Mike Penning added:

“Great steps have been made towards openness and transparency in the NHS. Patients can see their medical records which previously they had not been able to do. However, I felt this measure is a backwards step. It should be natural justice and patients who have complaints against the NHS need to be reassured that their complaints will be fairly and independently investigated.”

He continued:

“Rightly or wrongly, the perception is always that large organisations such as the NHS will close ranks to cover-up any wrongdoing. This is about perceptions and natural justice.”