The CSP, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing, and the Royal College of Midwives have teamed up to demand the publication of the risk register relating to the Health and Social Care Bill.
A debate is due to be held in the House of Commons on Wednesday 22 February on whether the register should be published.
‘Very strong public interest’
The information commissioner ruled last year that the register, which sets out risks associated with the proposed legislation, should be released because of a ‘very strong public interest’.
The government is appealing this decision but the hearing will not take place until 6 March, by when the bill will have almost completed its passage through parliament.
Publish immediately
In a statement (see below), the CSP and its partner healthcare bodies, urged the government to reconsider its position and publish the register in full, immediately.
They said: ‘This will enable a proper determination – which takes into account the views of the health professions – to be made as to whether the risks of not proceeding with the bill are greater than the risks inherent within the bill itself while the bill is still being debated by parliament.’
An emergency motion calling the refusal to publish the register an 'appalling injustice' was passed by delegates at the CSP's annual representative conference on 8 February.
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