The Health Committee is a cross-party body, appointed by the House of Commons to examine the policy, administration and expenditure, of the Department of Health and its associated bodies.

The Committee which is one of 19 select committees, chooses its own subjects of inquiry.  Depending on the subject, external deadlines, and the amount of oral evidence the Committee decides to take, an inquiry may last for several months and give rise to a report to the House; other inquiries may simply consist of a single day’s oral evidence which the Committee may publish without making a report.

When the Committee has chosen an inquiry it normally issues a press notice outlining the main themes of inquiry and inviting interested parties to submit written evidence. It may also identify possible witnesses and issue specific invitations to them to submit written evidence.

Currently the HSC is running an inquiry into the complaints and litigation process. To see the progress of this enquiry go to www.parliament.uk and search for Health Select Committee.

Downloads:

Sands contribution to this inquiry: Sands response to HSC inquiry into complaints and litigation – Dec 2010

The HSC is also running an inquiry into the commissioning of health services which is under review. To see Sands submission to this inquiry go to: Sands response to HSC inquiry commissioning – Oct 2010