Health Bill [HL]

I have some questions about the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Patel. The issue of joint thematic data is extraordinarily interesting, particularly in mental health services and in care-of-the-elderly services, both of which I am the most familiar with. So much of the quality of what goes on in the healthcare domain is determined by the overall integration and co-ordination of health and social care. Sometimes it is quite difficult to extract the quality of care that an individual has received from information that is wholly documented in the NHS. I know that the Care Quality Commission will have the powers to have joint thematic reviews and focused investigations across the domains, which is very welcome indeed. We all feel that that is one reason why it will be an advantage in this respect. However, I wonder how we might deal with the fact that care quality accounts will be healthcare-focused and whether the Minister and his team have thought through some of the more difficult issues in relation to mental health care and social care, which are so vital for long-term conditions.