Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:46 pm on 10 March 2020.
Thank you, Llywydd. Following considerations at Stage 2, I have had constructive discussions with opposition Members and I am pleased that we've been able to reach a shared position with Angela Burns on this. By specifying in statutory guidance the evidence to be used and the way such evidence has been assessed, that will require NHS bodies to report openly and transparently on the actions that they are taking to secure improvements in quality outcomes. Importantly, in undertaking that assessment, NHS bodies will also be required to evidence how they are taking the health and care standards we discussed in the first two groups into account in discharging their duty of quality. That means that NHS bodies will have to consider all the matters set out in health and care standards, which includes matters relating to workforce, improving population health and equity. That will be explained in the statutory guidance. There is a point here about the statutory guidance that we're committing to produce on each area of the Bill: we want to see that co-produced in the way that we deliver it, rather than simply delivered by the Government. I am therefore happy to support all the amendments in this group in the name of Angela Burns.