As the Health and Care Bill moves into the committee stage where the detail of the bill is closely examined many people from different points of view are coming to the conclusion that it has deep flaws.
Here are some of the main points raised by commentators, campaigners and trade unions.
It does not address the major problems confronting health and care systems after a decade of austerity funding – and has nothing to say about social care. It will create disruption at a time the NHS needs to focus on recovery after Covid.
It removes some important aspects of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and associated regulations – but it does not prevent or reverse privatisation, nor does it extend to services which should also be delivered by NHS staff – cleaning, portering, catering, etc.
Full story in The Lowdown, 9 September 2021