Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS


6:19 pm - February 4th 2012

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contribution by Neil Foster

Almost year ago I wrote here how the huge mismatch in public trust levels meant the Government was always going to struggle to win support for its controversial NHS Bill.

We’ve seen a steady stream of groups representing health professional formally oppose the Bill, with the Royal College of GPs among the most recent and significant.

As Dr Hamish Meldrum of the British Medical Association has argued: “If the Prime Minister wants to put clinicians in control, he should listen to what they are saying – louder each day – and put this increasingly confused legislation out of its misery.”

The NHS Supporters campaign group has this weekend produced a devastating chart summarising which health professionals support or oppose the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill (below).

Many Coalition MPs and Ministers will be wondering how they can save face and pull back at this late stage.

There is one way: publish the Department of Health’s Risk Register. The unpublished advice and projections in the Risk Register are likely to reveal an array of unknowns and significant potential for spiralling costs and deterioration of patient care.

If not, then why is the Health Secretary so keen to avoid the instructions of the Information Commissioner to release it?

The ‘last-minute revelations’ from the Risk Register should enable Coalition MPs to say with a reasonably straight face that they have taken on board the warnings alongside those of the Health Select Committee.

However without the publication of the Risk Register there is no plausible exit strategy for MPs who have ignored pressure to repeatedly vote for such a controversial Bill.

That is why it is so important in the coming weeks health campaigners and parliamentarians focus on this specific measure and provide a way out.

Last week tenacious Labour MP and Health Select Committee Member Grahame Morris launched an Early Day Motion (2659) calling for the publication of the Risk Register.

In just a few days it has gathered 29 signatures with a quarter coming from Lib Dem MPs. Campaigners across the UK should now follow suit and press their MPs to add their name to this crucial EDM and collectively ensure over 100 new signatures within the next 10 days.

Pressure can be increased further if Ed Miliband decides to raise the issue of the Risk Register at the next Prime Minister’s Question Time. This should be followed by Labour using an Opposition Day Debate in Parliament on this and force all MPs to vote either for or against a motion demanding the register’s immediate release.

Contact your MP straight away using these tools from 38 Degrees and in your message urge your MP to sign Grahame Morris’ Early Day Motion 2659 insisting on the release of Lansley’s Risk Register.

For Conservative and Lib Dems MP it could be the least risky thing they do all year.

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Reader comments


1. rentergirl

Obviously is must be released. It will be eye-opening to read. But since the Condems are flying in the face of common sense, probably the law and public opinion, will that big reveal make any difference?

2. sevillista

*the most transparent Government ever*

3. Guano

Some MPs may justify a vote for Lansley’s Bill by saying that the reforms have gone too far already and that stopping them will create a bigger mess. We should be ready to ask any MPs who says this, how reforms could have been made before legislation was passed. We should also be ready to challenge any payments or compensation made to companies or individuals who acted ahead of the Bill being passed.

4. the a&e charge nurse

Worth spreading the word?
In case u don’t understand NHS bill: GPs know they’re being set up to fail by being given commissioning powers – those are specialist skills.

After GPs fail, private commissioning expertise will be needed: large private corps, which will come to operate like health insurers.

These large bodies, like public/private insurance co’s, will be able to pick & choose patients. Note no geographical responsibility in bill.

Small differences will emerge in what services they offer. Top up plans will become available. And that, kids, will be that.

It is so very obvious that GPs are being set up to fail at the specialist task of health service planning that it’s clearly not an accident.

Those last 5 tweets are what will obviously, predictably, happen to the NHS after this bill. If you missed them, they were a bit important.

http://bengoldacre.posterous.com/what-will-happen-with-the-nhs-bill-in-5-tweet


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Gobanian

    Why we need to press #Lansley to publish the #NHS risk register by @neilrfoster via @libcon http://t.co/FDjcexVd #saveourNHS

  2. Shez

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/PcUtFIDY via @libcon

  3. dji45

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/PcUtFIDY via @libcon

  4. neilrfoster

    @bengoldacre We've *got* to get Lansley's 'Risk Register' for his plans published. It could change everything: http://t.co/di01BCtV

  5. Clare Jordan

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/PcUtFIDY via @libcon

  6. Barbara Hulme

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/PcUtFIDY via @libcon

  7. ElaineSco

    RT @grahamemorris: Why we need to press #Lansley to publish the #NHS risk register by @neilrfoster via @libcon http://t.co/N8VDywBH #nhsrisk

  8. Andy Birss

    Get Lansley to release the secret report on NHS-email your member of parliament http://t.co/Oj2FOXn6 Put the pressure on

  9. Grahame Morris

    Releasing Andrew Lansley’s 'Risk Register' may be only way to kill the NHS bill says @neilrfoster – http://t.co/RKbp5NsW

  10. Val Hudson

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/ZqvEOac3 via @libcon

  11. Marius Kynaston

    Releasing Andrew Lansley’s 'Risk Register' may be only way to kill the NHS bill says @neilrfoster – http://t.co/RKbp5NsW

  12. Dr Theresa Eynon

    @bengoldacre We've *got* to get Lansley's 'Risk Register' for his plans published. It could change everything: http://t.co/di01BCtV

  13. Skidders

    @bengoldacre We've *got* to get Lansley's 'Risk Register' for his plans published. It could change everything: http://t.co/di01BCtV

  14. Julian Bashforth

    @bengoldacre We've *got* to get Lansley's 'Risk Register' for his plans published. It could change everything: http://t.co/di01BCtV

  15. Julian Bashforth

    @bengoldacre We've *got* to get Lansley's 'Risk Register' for his plans published. It could change everything: http://t.co/di01BCtV

  16. stephany meissner

    Releasing Andrew Lansley’s 'Risk Register' may be only way to kill the NHS bill says @neilrfoster – http://t.co/RKbp5NsW

  17. stephany meissner

    Releasing Andrew Lansley’s 'Risk Register' may be only way to kill the NHS bill says @neilrfoster – http://t.co/RKbp5NsW

  18. Suella Ember

    Releasing Andrew Lansley’s 'Risk Register' may be only way to kill the NHS bill says @neilrfoster – http://t.co/RKbp5NsW

  19. Legal Aware

    a nice article from @neilrfoster on the unpublished risk register which I believe must be published. http://t.co/GQ5MBYxe

  20. True Crime UK

    An article from @neilrfoster on the unpublished risk register and which I believe must be published. http://t.co/cm6nslhL

  21. Underthebed

    a nice article from @neilrfoster on the unpublished risk register which I believe must be published. http://t.co/GQ5MBYxe

  22. Drop the Bill – HM Government must publish the Risk Register | Dr Shibley Rahman : His Labour blog and much else

    […] Neil Rose on the highly influential ‘Liberal Conspiracy’ website has written as follows: Many Coalition MPs and Ministers will be wondering how they can save face and pull back at this late stage. […]

  23. Clare

    Has your MP signed up to the Motion calling on Govt to publish Lansley's NHS Risk Register? Get on to them: http://t.co/ZnhvSI5I

  24. Clare

    @PatGlassMP Have you signed the Motion calling on Govt to publish Lansley's NHS Risk Register? @neilrfoster http://t.co/gLGwZpO6

  25. arthur jordan

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/Ffrlibu0 via @libcon

  26. Stuart White

    RT @libcon: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS http://t.co/kQIAtmYP

  27. neilrfoster

    @clarercgp RT@libcon: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS http://t.co/di01BCtV

  28. Martha Leyton

    @clarercgp RT@libcon: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS http://t.co/di01BCtV

  29. Bob Glass

    Releasing Andrew Lansley’s 'Risk Register' may be only way to kill the NHS bill says @neilrfoster – http://t.co/RKbp5NsW

  30. Annie Bishop

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/IXdl0eNF via @libcon

  31. Les Tricoteuses

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/rEJQXk1j

  32. Carolyn Roberts

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/IXdl0eNF via @libcon

  33. neilrfoster

    @paulwaugh Following your blog here's 1 way Coalition can save face over Lansley's Bill – publish the risk register: http://t.co/ZnhvSI5I

  34. UNISON Health

    Realeasing Lansley's Risk Register is key to saving the NHS. #DropTheBill http://t.co/eCJuvzNs

  35. Guy Collis

    Nice piece from @neilrfoster on need to release Risk Register: http://t.co/SL8Hptny with ref to @nhs_supporters work on opp to #HealthBill

  36. NHS Supporters

    Nice piece from @neilrfoster on need to release Risk Register: http://t.co/SL8Hptny with ref to @nhs_supporters work on opp to #HealthBill

  37. NHS Supporters

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  38. Maggie Aitch

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  39. Bern O'Donoghue

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  40. Izzy Green

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  41. paulstpancras

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  42. Liza Harding

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  43. neilrfoster

    @politicseditor Why I think the NHS Risk Register can be the Govt's exit strategy on Lansley's ill-fated Bill: http://t.co/ZnhvSI5I

  44. Andy Birss

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  45. kathT

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  46. HullRePublic

    RT @andyburnhammp: RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the #NHS http://t.co/MfBHNty0 #dropthebill

  47. pete wylie

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  48. Rosie

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  49. aliqot

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  50. Save The NHS

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  51. Elly Pilavachi

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  52. Richard Murphy

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  53. FLASH ENTS1

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  54. Neil Courtman

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  55. Dr Theresa Eynon

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  56. David Smout

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  57. Teresa

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/rQbuKsFs via @libcon

  58. Ann Woods

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  59. Dr Eoin Clarke

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  60. Legal Aware

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  61. Oxford Kevin

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  62. Top Health Tweets

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  63. jackie neylon

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  64. Ricky

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  65. Wladyslaw Mejka

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  66. Saggydaddy

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  67. TheCreativeCrip

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

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    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  69. Tracey Hand

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  70. John Edginton

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tHWUIrUI via @libcon

  71. Jo Platt

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  72. Celia Kelly

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  73. Celia Kelly

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  74. UNISON SWYPFT

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  75. Stephanie Mather

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  76. Jacquie Falkowski

    Why we need to press #Lansley to publish the #NHS risk register by @neilrfoster via @libcon http://t.co/xMquZmVe #saveourNHS #LansleyOut

  77. Andreas Baader

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  78. Diane Hain

    RT @nhs_supporters: Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving #ourNHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/gOdgYeLW via @libcon

  79. Diane Hain

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/KZGh9YNk

  80. Penny

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/KZGh9YNk

  81. Dick Wolff

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/tLFYIVB9 via @libcon

  82. neilrfoster

    @patrickjbutler This is why today's decision to have an Opposition debate on the NHS Risk Register is significant: http://t.co/ZnhvSI5I

  83. neilrfoster

    .@conhome This is how Coalition MPs can save face over ending the Health & S Care Bill – use the Risk Register http://t.co/ZnhvSI5I

  84. neilrfoster

    @paulwaugh This is how Coalition MPs could save face over killing the health bill – use the Risk Register http://t.co/ZnhvSI5I

  85. neilrfoster

    @TimMontgomerie This is how Coalition MPs can save face over the Health & S Care Bill – use the Risk Register http://t.co/ZnhvSI5I

  86. UNISON Health

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS #saveourNHS http://t.co/WHv36hMJ

  87. Tony Wright

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS #saveourNHS http://t.co/WHv36hMJ

  88. neilrfoster

    @BBCNormanS Could this be the significance of the Risk Register? Providing an exit route for Coalition MPs: http://t.co/ufvKVbYl

  89. North West UNISON

    Releasing Lansley’s Risk Register is key to saving the NHS #saveourNHS http://t.co/WHv36hMJ

  90. Ben Sellers

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  91. James Doran

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  92. Andy Hicks

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  93. Kim Blake

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  94. ?????? ????????

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  95. Emma

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  96. Jaime Wilder

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  97. TheCreativeCrip

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  98. Creative Corner Cafe

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  99. Catherine Brunton

    Publishing the Risk Register sounds kind of dull, but could be the key to saving the NHS. Neil Foster explains: http://t.co/RCUtsTud

  100. The Health and Social Security Bill is an unholy mess. Drop it now.

    […] Presumably that was predicted in the risk register, the concealment of which is a disgrace. See Liberal Conspiracy and the Green Benches blogs. The Infromation Commissioner ordered the release of the risk register, […]

  101. neilrfoster

    Here's why publishing the NHS Risk Register is so important – allows Coalition MPs to save face & #dropthebill http://t.co/ufvKVbYl

  102. freiahill

    Here's why publishing the NHS Risk Register is so important – allows Coalition MPs to save face & #dropthebill http://t.co/ufvKVbYl

  103. Gemma Taylor

    Here's why publishing the NHS Risk Register is so important – allows Coalition MPs to save face & #dropthebill http://t.co/ufvKVbYl

  104. Jane Reast

    Here's why publishing the NHS Risk Register is so important – allows Coalition MPs to save face & #dropthebill http://t.co/ufvKVbYl





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