Andrew Lansley event 8 June 2010

Health Secretary Delivers First Speech to National Voices
(08/06/10)

Andrew Lansley gave his first speech as Health Secretary yesterday at an event hosted by National Voices in association with the Bromley by Bow Centre in East London, and the Patients Association.

Mr Lansley said patients would become the driving force of improvements to the NHS. Not just as beneficiaries of care but as participants, with shared decision-making. He said health and social care should be better integrated and that he is determined to bring about a shift from top-down culture, to one responsive to patients, where patient safety is put first.

After the speech, members of the audience challenged the Health Secretary on key issues including the future of Local Involvement Networks (LINks); plans for personal care budgets and the need to consider how vulnerable patients can play a part in the commissioning of services. The questions session was chaired by National Voices CEO, Jeremy Taylor.

Andrew Lansley confirmed personal care budgets were important, along with more support for social care. On LINks he said the government would develop the work of existing LINks members – although hinted at possible changes in format – while confirming that local bodies would work alongside a new national body, Healthwatch. He agreed that patients need a greater voice in commissioning of care and that GPs should play a greater role as intermediaries to help people engage better with their care.

Jeremy Taylor, Chief Executive of National Voices, welcomed the Secretary of State’s speech and the vision he had set out. He pointed out that all governments struggled to translate health policy into real improvements and that listening and responding to patients, carers and their organisations was a vital part of that translation. He invited Andrew Lansley to repeat this process of engagement and the Secretary of State agreed to address a follow up event.

Delegates at the event, which took place in the Bromley by Bow Centre in London, later took part in workshops on strengthening the voice of patients, the results of which will help inform the government’s developing health and social care strategies.

National Voices' initial analysis of the coalition government’s programme can be found here.

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Notes to editors:

1. For media enquiries please contact Jules Acton - 020 3176 0773 / 0737

2. National Voices is a coalition of more than 200 national charities, campaigning for a stronger voice for patients, service users and families in health and social care.