Hlth31 Information on the Bevan Commission

3rd December 2010

Dear

Bevan Commission Request for Information – Freedom of Information ref: 4631

In your request for information, you asked:

• Could you please send me the running costs associated with the Bevan Commission?
• When was the Bevan Commission set up?
• Why was it set up?
• How long was it originally meant to be operational? If it has been extended, could you please explain why it has been extended?
• What has it produced and how many of its recommendations (if any) has the Health Minister accepted/implemented?

The responses to your request for information are set out in the two pages of attachments to this letter.

Any information released under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will be listed in the Assembly Government Disclosure Log (at www.information.wales.gov.uk).

If you believe I have not followed the relevant laws, or you are unhappy with this response, you may request an initial review by writing to:

Chris Hurst
Director of Resources
4th Floor
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

When dealing with any concerns, we will follow the Assembly Government’s Code of Practise on Complaints, which is available on the Internet at www.wales.gov.uk or by post.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. Normally, however, you should pursue the matter through our internal procedure before you complain to the Information. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545 745
Fax: 01625 524 510
Email: enquiries@ico.gsi.gov.uk

Also, if you think that there has been maladministration in dealing with your request then you may make a complaint to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales who can be contacted at:

Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Ffordd yr Hen Gae
Pencoed
Bridgend
CF35 5LJ

Yours Sincerely

Irena Wasilewska

Irena Wasilewska
Policy Advisor
Strategy Unit, Health and Social Services Directorate

Could you please send me the running costs associated with the Bevan Commission?

2009/2010 - £11,160.00
2010/2011 - £2655.94 part year spend

When was the Bevan Commission set up?

July 2008

Why was it set up?

The key role is to be an independent, expert advisory panel to provide the Welsh Assembly Government with assurances that the NHS Reforms will succeed in creating a health service which is publicly owned and publicly provided; rooted in an ethic of care, rather than competition; for the pursuit of health as well as treatment of illness; and which is recognisable to its founder, Aneurin Bevan.

How long was it originally meant to be operational?

2 years.

If it has been extended, could you please explain why it has been extended?

The term of the Commission was extended for three months to enable the Commission to complete its work and prepare a final report.  

What has it produced?

The first annual report of the Commission sets out an account of its activities in its first year, and indicates material that it produced and considered in that period.  The report and copies of other advice the Commission has submitted to the Minister are listed separately and are accessible on the Welsh Assembly Government website

How many of its recommendations (if any) has the Health Minister accepted/implemented?

The papers formally submitted to the Minister are listed on a separate sheet.  Where there were recommendations, the consequential action is indicated.