Independence
Recommendations related to independence
14
Recommendations
79% accepted
Government Response
Accepted (5)Accepted in Part (6)Not Accepted (1)Awaiting Response (1)Not Applicable (1)
Recommendations in This Theme
recommendation across 9 inquiries
Across 9 inquiries
Tagged Recommendations
14 total
COVID-M2.1
Not Applicable
COVID-19 Inquiry
NI CMO Independence
The Department of Health (Northern Ireland) should reconstitute the role of the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland as an independent advisory role. The Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland …
- This recommendation is addressed to the Department of Health (Northern Ireland), not the UK government. - The UK government stated in its Module 2 …
Department of Health NI
Northern Ireland Executi…
R54
Response Pending
Muckamore Abbey Inquiry
Independent CCTV viewers
Viewers of the CCTV should be independent of the setting, i.e. not involved in day-to-day care of the residents.
Northern Ireland Executi…
P2-22
Accepted
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Independent panel review of building control commercial interests
That the government appoint an independent panel to consider whether it is in the public interest for building control functions to be performed by those who have a commercial interest …
- The available official evidence indicates that this recommendation is complete. The May 2026 government progress report expressly records it among nine recommendations completed since …
UK Government
30
Not Accepted
Brook House Inquiry
Enhance Professional Standards Unit independence and seniority
The Home Office must: take steps to enhance the independence of the Professional Standards Unit from the Home Office and the perception of this independence; and increase the seniority of …
- In March 2024, the government rejected this recommendation, stating: "The seniority of the Head of the PSU will not be changed," and expressing confidence …
Home Office
ETI-2
Accepted in Part
Edinburgh Tram Inquiry
Inquiry Independence
Scottish Ministers must not appoint any department, agency, or government organization as inquiry sponsor where it or its employees had involvement in the project under investigation.
- In November 2023, the Scottish Government stated that guidance similar to that suggested was already in development (Transport Secretary Statement on Edinburgh Tram Inquiry …
Scottish Government
50
Accepted
IICSA
Independent validation of Catholic audit programme
The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service should have the effectiveness of its audit programme regularly validated by an independent organisation which is external to the Church. These independent reports should be …
- On 30 September 2021, the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated that the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency Board was committed to independent validation of …
Catholic Safeguarding Ad…
IHRD-34
Accepted in Part
Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Independent SAI Investigation
The most serious adverse clinical incidents should be investigated by wholly independent investigators (i.e. an investigation unit from outside Northern Ireland) with authority to seize evidence and interview witnesses.
- The Department of Health NI stated in March 2018 that independent investigation arrangements had been strengthened (IHRD Implementation Programme, Department of Health NI, March …
Department of Health NI
IHRD-51
Accepted
Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Independence of Coroner Witness Statements
Trust employees should not record or otherwise manage witness statements made by Trust staff and submitted to the Coroner's office.
- HSC Trusts reported that training for clinical staff on coronial and inquest procedures had been provided (IHRD Implementation Programme, Department of Health NI, March …
HSC Trusts
IHRD-9
Accepted
Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Leadership Development
The highest priority should be accorded the development and improvement of leadership skills at every level of the health service including both executive and non-executive Board members.
- The Department of Health NI reported that leadership development programmes had been implemented across the HSC (IHRD Implementation Programme, Department of Health NI, March …
Northern Ireland Executi…
Department of Health NI
F257
Accepted in Part
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Role of the Health and Social Care Information Centre
The Information Centre should be tasked with the independent collection, analysis, publication and oversight of healthcare information in England, or, with the agreement of the devolved governments, the United Kingdom. …
- The Learn from Patient Safety Events (LFPSE) service replaced the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) and was fully implemented by June 2024 (NHS …
F275
Accepted in Part
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Independent medical examiners
It is of considerable importance that independent medical examiners are independent of the organisation whose patients' deaths are being scrutinised.
- NHS England stated in April 2025 that operational arrangements at NHS bodies must support the independent role of medical examiners and that combining these …
Department of Health and…
F54
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care Quality Commission independence strategy and culture
Where issues relating to regulatory action are discussed between the Care Quality Commission and other agencies, these should be properly recorded to avoid any suggestion of inappropriate interference in the …
- The Department of Health and Social Care stated in April 2025 that the Care Quality Commission records all decision-making meetings and actions (DHSC and …
CQC
L13
Accepted in Part
Leveson Inquiry
Complaints Committee Composition
Serving editors should not be members of any Committee advising the Board on complaints and any such Committee should have a composition broadly reflecting that of the main Board, with …
- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …
Press
L27
Accepted in Part
Leveson Inquiry
Legislative Recognition Requirements
In order to meet the public concern that the organisation by the press of its regulation is by a body which is independent of the press, independent of Parliament and …
- The government established a Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press, granted by Privy Council on 30 October 2013. The Charter was an alternative …
UK Government