Impact of the work of the Committee
42. Inevitably, it is difficult to assess the impact
of any select committee. A simple measure is the number of recommendations
the committee makes which are implemented by Government. Some
of our reports were largely accepted: many of the recommendations
made in the Obesity report (for example, in respect of
a health promotion campaign on obesity and a new labelling system
for food) and
of our earlier Sexual Health report[16]
were included in the Government's White Paper on Public Health.[17]
Indeed the White Paper can be seen as the product of a dialogue
between the Committee and the Department..
43. Another, probably more important measure of the
Committee's work, is its ability to act as a major forum for addressing
significant health issues. The Committee has done an impressive
job in raising awareness and stimulating debate, especially when
it has concentrated on examining deficiencies in existing policies.
The Obesity Inquiry focussed attention on a subject too
long neglected by the Government and generated considerable public
interest. It was widely reported, in the UK and abroad, and an
extensive debate about its recommendations followed. The inquiry
showed the select committee system at its best. The inquiries
into Elder Abuse and The Provision of Allergy Services,
also highlighted issues that previously had been of low prominence.
We were very pleased that, in acknowledgement of the Committee's
role in investigating crucial issues facing older people, the
Chairman was presented with the ePolitix Older People Champion
Award for 2004.
16 Health Committee, Third Report of Session 2002-03,
Sexual Health, HC69 Back
17
Department of Health, Choosing Health: Making Healthy Choices
Easier, Cm 6374, November 2004 Back
|
