I am grateful for that intervention. However, I am quoting from evidence given to the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which is on the record. Lisa Power went on to say: ""There are a large number of clinicians who are so concerned that this is not the correct way to behave and so concerned for public health that they are prepared to do whatever it takes"."
She cited the example of a clinician who had managed to chase the Revenue retrieval teams away using a combination of a better understanding of the law and a common-sense approach to the pointlessness of retrieving money from the destitute. At the time of my membership of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, we heard a large amount of evidence about the activities of the Revenue retrieval teams. I believe that they exist and that they undertake activities.
I ask the Minister this: is it not rather undesirable for the state to require people who have a very high ethical standard to take actions that require them to go to a lower ethical standard and then put them in the position of having to use stratagems in order to do their moral and professional duty? Is it not strange that professional health workers in Scotland and Wales, as I understand it, do not have to do this because in both jurisdictions that is a step too far? I share the view of the Minister that has been expressed by others and I am very optimistic that she will respond positively to what Members of the Committee are saying.
Health Bill [HL]
Proceeding contribution from
Baroness Stern
(Crossbench)
in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 17 March 2009.
It occurred during Debate on bills
and
Committee proceeding on Health Bill [HL].
About this proceeding contribution
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709 c83-4GC Session
2008-09Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand CommitteeSubjects
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