Health Protection Agency scrapped in bonfire of the quangos

Jul 28, 2010

Following a review of non-government public organisations published yesterday by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is to be abolished.

The body which oversaw the country’s response to swine flu will disappear along with various other Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) including the National Patient Safety Agency.

In total, the changes outlined in the Health Secretary’s report will reduce the number of health ALBs from eighteen to between eight and ten; which is expected to deliver savings of over £180m by 2014/15.

The review has assessed whether the work of each of the Department of Health’s 18 Arm’s Length Bodies’ remains essential nationally. It also looked at whether work is being duplicated or could be better carried out by a different body.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, organisations “which are no longer needed” will be removed from the sector, with essential work moved to other bodies. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“In order to secure every possible means to greater value for money and efficiency, we have acted decisively to ensure that our ALB sector remains fit for purpose and affordable.

“Over the years the sector has grown to the point where overlap between organisations and duplication of effort have produced a needless bureaucratic web. By making sure that the right functions are being carried out at the appropriate level, we will free up significant savings to support front-line NHS services.”

The Health Protection Agency will transfer its functions to the Secretary of State as part of a new “Public Health Service”. Departments being spared the axe include the Care Quality Commission, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Peter Walsh, chief executive of the charity Action against Medical Accidents, said:

"There is no denying that there is scope for bringing some of the quangos together; however, we must avoid the danger that work on patient safety could be watered down in the new arrangements.

"We will want to be assured that the new arrangements will include safeguards to ensure that patient safety really does get the priority it needs and that the skills, knowledge and passion of those who currently champion patient safety are transferred to the new body. It would be a mistake not to build on the start that has been made on patient safety, which would inevitably lead to many more avoidable tragedies."

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