Health and Social Care Bill published

19 January 2011

The Government has today (19 January 2011) published its Health and Social Care Bill 2010-11.
 
The Bill is a crucial part of the Government's vision for the future of the NHS and includes significant changes to the way in which healthcare works.
 
The Bill has five themes:

1. Strengthening commissioning of NHS services; 

2. Increasing democratic accountability and public voice;

3. Liberating provision of NHS services;

4. Strengthening public health services;

5. Reforming health and care arm's length bodies.

Over the coming weeks, the Bill will move through the legislative process, going before both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The time it takes a Bill to become law varies greatly and amendments are often made before it receives Royal Assent.
 
The Bill is based on the Government's health White Paper which was published last July last year (called 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS') and their subsequent response ('Liberating the NHS: legislative framework and next steps'). It also includes plans to change public health services and reform the Department's arm's length bodies.
 
For more information: 

• Read the Bill;

• Read the Government's press release;

• Track the Bill as it moves through Parliament;

• Department of Health dedicated website for the Bill;

• Parliamentary Bills explained.