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Super-regulator to oversee health Super-regulator to oversee health
(10 minutes later)
The government plans to establish a new super-regulator to oversee health and social care with powers to fine hospitals and shut down wards. The government plans to establish a new super-regulator to oversee health and social care in England with powers to fine hospitals and shut down wards.
The Care Quality Commission will have a beefed up remit to inspect and intervene at failing hospitals.The Care Quality Commission will have a beefed up remit to inspect and intervene at failing hospitals.
It combines the functions of the existing Healthcare Commission, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Health Act Commission.It combines the functions of the existing Healthcare Commission, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Health Act Commission.
The Health and Social Care Bill will also bolster professional regulation.The Health and Social Care Bill will also bolster professional regulation.
Ministers say the new super-regulator is a key part of the government's drive to ensure safety, cleanliness and high quality in health and social care services.Ministers say the new super-regulator is a key part of the government's drive to ensure safety, cleanliness and high quality in health and social care services.
The aim is to increase public confidence in services, and to deliver a consistent approach to regulation across providers from all sectors.The aim is to increase public confidence in services, and to deliver a consistent approach to regulation across providers from all sectors.
Sir Ian Kennedy, chairman of the Healthcare Commission, said the plans offered a "sound basis for the future".
However, he warned it was vital that work already undertaken to improve standards was not lost during the 18 months it would take to put the new structure in place.
Shipman case
The government pledged to introduce a tougher system for regulating health professionals in the wake of the Shipman case.The government pledged to introduce a tougher system for regulating health professionals in the wake of the Shipman case.
Former GP Harold Shipman is thought to have killed as many as 250 of his patients.Former GP Harold Shipman is thought to have killed as many as 250 of his patients.
Under the proposals, regulatory bodies will be required to use the lower, civil standard, rather than the criminal standard, of proof.Under the proposals, regulatory bodies will be required to use the lower, civil standard, rather than the criminal standard, of proof.
Healthcare organisations will be made to appoint a "responsible officer" to work with the General Medical Council on cases of poor professional performance by doctors.Healthcare organisations will be made to appoint a "responsible officer" to work with the General Medical Council on cases of poor professional performance by doctors.
Ministers also plan a bill to revamp the law on fertility treatments. Ministers also plan a bill to update the law on fertility treatments, which has been in place since 1990.
This will include provisions to recognise same-sex couples as legal parents of children conceived through the use of donated sperm, eggs or embryos.
A Green paper will be published exploring options for reform in social care.A Green paper will be published exploring options for reform in social care.
Ministers want to reduce the dependency of those who rely on social care systems.Ministers want to reduce the dependency of those who rely on social care systems.