Government vetoes publication of NHS risk register

The government has taken the decision to veto the publication of its transition risk register pertaining to changes arising from the implementation of the Health and Social Care Act.

Following a Cabinet agreement and a final ruling by health secretary Andrew Lansley, it has been decided that the Information Tribunal's ruling that the register should be published will be overruled, in accordance with provisions in the Freedom of Information Act.

The government's refusal to publish details of this risk register was among the more contentious elements in the passing of the Health and Social Care Act this March, with Labour arguing that the legislation should not have been ratified until this information was made public.

However, the Department of Health has argued that the bill is worded and arranged for ministerial use rather than public consumption, meaning its publication would undermine frank and open political debate.

Instead, a document setting out key information relating to risks detailed in the original document has been issued by the government.

Mr Lansley said: "The public continue to have all the information necessary to understand what we considered the risks to be and how we have acted to mitigate them."