The 2021 Queen’s Speech lacks any details of the proposed ‘Health and Care Bill,’ which we might have expected to be based on the February White Paper “Integration and Innovation”.
Notes published in advance of the Speech by the House of Commons Library anticipated legislation along the lines of the White Paper, including proposals previously set out by NHS England:
- “To establish Integrated Care Systems as statutory bodies and other measures to support integration of health and care
- “To formally merge NHS England and NHS Improvement
- “Changes to procurement and competition rules relating to health services,”
It also anticipated additional proposals that were included for the first time in the White Paper, to give additional powers for the Secretary of State “including powers over NHS England, Arm’s Length Bodies and health service reconfigurations, and powers to create new Trusts.”
Full story – The Lowdown, 18 May 2021