House of Lords amendment to safeguard the rights of unpaid carers drafted by School of Law Professor

Amendment 113 focuses on carers and safe discharge for hospital patients.

School of Law Chair in Law and Social Justice Professor Luke Clements, an expert in social care law, drafted an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill for (and moved by) Baroness Pitkeathley with the support of the Carers UK.  

The amendment was opposed by the Government but accepted by the House of Lords on a division. It seeks to ensure safe hospital discharges of patients by requiring that their prospective carers are consulted before any discharge takes place.  

On 7 March 2022, in her address to the House Baroness Pitkeathley noted “My thanks go also to Professor Luke Clements, professor of law and social justice at the University of Leeds, for his wise advice on the drafting of this amendment”. 

Listen to a recording of Baroness Pitkeathley’s speech. 

Read the transcript of Baroness Pitkeathley’s speech.