This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/25/two-health-regulators-spared-axe
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Two health regulators spared axe but face efficiency review | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The government has launched a review that will look for ways to cut the costs of regulating and approving research into human embryos and other tissues. | The government has launched a review that will look for ways to cut the costs of regulating and approving research into human embryos and other tissues. |
| The Department of Health announced the review after deciding not to axe two health regulators that it had planned to disband as part of a money-saving "bonfire of the quangos". | The Department of Health announced the review after deciding not to axe two health regulators that it had planned to disband as part of a money-saving "bonfire of the quangos". |
| The functions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) were to have been absorbed by the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator. | The functions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) were to have been absorbed by the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator. |
| But in a consultation last summer, expert organisations including the British Medical Association and the Wellcome Trust argued against the plans, forcing a reversal. | But in a consultation last summer, expert organisations including the British Medical Association and the Wellcome Trust argued against the plans, forcing a reversal. |
| The public health minister, Anna Soubry, said the department was launching a review to find "further efficiencies" in the way both regulators worked. | The public health minister, Anna Soubry, said the department was launching a review to find "further efficiencies" in the way both regulators worked. |
| The two-month review, led by the head of the Health Protection Agency, Justin McCracken, will look for ways the bodies can better work together and reduce and streamline inspections, information collection and procedures for approving research. | The two-month review, led by the head of the Health Protection Agency, Justin McCracken, will look for ways the bodies can better work together and reduce and streamline inspections, information collection and procedures for approving research. |
| The review will also look at merging the two organisations, but such a move would require fresh legislation, which the Guardian understands ministers are reluctant to pursue. A similar proposal, to merge the HFEA and HTA into a body called the Regulatory Authority for Tissues and Cells, was abandoned in 2007 after criticism from a committee of MPs. | The review will also look at merging the two organisations, but such a move would require fresh legislation, which the Guardian understands ministers are reluctant to pursue. A similar proposal, to merge the HFEA and HTA into a body called the Regulatory Authority for Tissues and Cells, was abandoned in 2007 after criticism from a committee of MPs. |
| Soubry said: "As the use of techniques like IVF and tissue engineering increase, the scope for therapies and treatments, we need to support our regulators' vital role in keeping patients safe. | |
| "We have listened to the views of those who responded to this consultation and it's clear further work is needed to ensure they offer taxpayers the best value." | |
| Lisa Jardine, chair of the HFEA, said she was "thrilled" at the decision to save the regulator. "As for the review, as long as it does not prolong the uncertainty, I am only too happy to consider ways in which our two organisations can work more productively together." | Lisa Jardine, chair of the HFEA, said she was "thrilled" at the decision to save the regulator. "As for the review, as long as it does not prolong the uncertainty, I am only too happy to consider ways in which our two organisations can work more productively together." |
| An HTA spokesperson said: "We see the independent review as an opportunity to build on our reputation and look forward to the findings. We already work closely with the HFEA and other regulators and will continue to do so." | An HTA spokesperson said: "We see the independent review as an opportunity to build on our reputation and look forward to the findings. We already work closely with the HFEA and other regulators and will continue to do so." |
| Rachel Cutting, chair of the Association of Clinical Embryologists, said: "The news is good for patients and centres. We had concerns regarding any benefit to abolishing the HFEA but we very much welcome the review to ensure further improvements and efficiencies are made." | Rachel Cutting, chair of the Association of Clinical Embryologists, said: "The news is good for patients and centres. We had concerns regarding any benefit to abolishing the HFEA but we very much welcome the review to ensure further improvements and efficiencies are made." |
| Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust, said: "On one hand the government has decided to save the HFEA and the HTA from being submerged into the CQC, but on the other their new review will give serious consideration to the merger of the HFEA and HTA. | Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust, said: "On one hand the government has decided to save the HFEA and the HTA from being submerged into the CQC, but on the other their new review will give serious consideration to the merger of the HFEA and HTA. |
| "More importantly in my opinion is that it should aim to reduce the bureaucratic burden on researchers and IVF clinics so that both time and money are saved there as well as in the civil service." | "More importantly in my opinion is that it should aim to reduce the bureaucratic burden on researchers and IVF clinics so that both time and money are saved there as well as in the civil service." |