On Wednesday 5 March, I spoke in the House of Commons in a debate marking one year since the publication of the Francis Report, which looked into the appalling failings at Mid Staffordshire Hospital.

In my speech, I talked about the two key challenges facing the NHS if we are to truly ensure that failings like Mid Staffs never happen again. First, we need to make sure that the views of patients, their families and the public are heard and acted on, at every level and at all times. Second, there must be clear leadership so that the changes we need to improve safety and quality are made. Unfortunately, the Government’s backroom reorganisation of the NHS is making it harder to meet these challenges.

You can read my speech here