NHS Redress Bill [HL]

I rise to support the principle behind the amendments that we are discussing. It is absolutely vital that the healthcare worker concerned should provide a full explanation. We should press for that to be included either on the face of the Bill, in guidance or whatever. However, it is slightly more difficult to give an apology as it would mean that someone had been at fault and therefore an apology was relevant. However, on many occasions a patient may be harmed due to a recognised side effect of treatment. Five per cent of certain operations result in complications. In that case no one is at fault; it is a recognised problem with that operation. Drugs may cause side effects; all kinds of treatment may result in side effects in some people. We hope that that occurs in a small proportion of people. In those cases an apology is not relevant, a full explanation and an expression of concern and support are required. An apology may not always be relevant when a patient has been harmed. I suspect that it will be difficult to express that concept on the face of the Bill.