what are charters for the nhs
Government defeat over NHS bill | Child Rearing
The government has lost a House of Lords vote on its controversial plans to overhaul the NHS in England.
The first of those debated on Wednesday – demanding that the health secretary ensures that mental health care is treated as importantly as physical health care by the NHS – was put forward cross-bencher Lord Patel, and passed by a by 244 votes to 240.
Three Liberal Democrats – Lord Alliance, Lord Carlile of Berriew and Baroness Tonge – rebelled against the government.
Peers accepted a government-backed amendment specifying that the health secretary retains "ministerial responsibility to Parliament for the provision of the health service in England".
Several more amendments – all discussing the powers and responsibilities of the health secretary – were debated.
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