Risk of patient safety ‘bonfire’ with Health Bill changes, Lib Dems say

Risk of patient safety ‘bonfire’ with Health Bill changes, Lib Dems sayThe Liberal Democrats have urged Andy Burnham to stop the “bonfire of patient safety” under Labour proposals to modernise the NHS in England. Healthwatch England (HWE), an independent body which represents the views of patients at their local health and social care providers, is set to be scrapped under the government’s Health Bill. The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), which carries out patient safety investigations, is also being abolished. The government says its changes will strip back bureaucracy and improve patient safety. The Health Bill is currently at the report stage, with its next scrutiny stage in the House of Commons due on 7 September.