Government plans health and care legislation

With the uncertainties over Brexit and a general election thought to be highly likely, it is unclear whether Boris Johnson's government will get to enact its proposals. However, it set out a total of 26 bills, including five on health and care.

The government had invited the NHS in England to set out proposals for legislation that would help smooth the introduction of the long-term plan – NHS England and NHS Improvement finalised their proposals at the end of last month. The national bodies' proposals include giving the national bodies a reserve power to set foundation trusts’ capital spending limits – this would be time-limited and subject to scrutiny – and greater tariff flexibilities.

Briefing notes issued by the government alongside the speech said: ‘This government is committed to supporting the NHS long-term plan. We are considering the NHS’s recommendations thoroughly and will bring forward detailed proposals shortly. In due course, we will publish draft legislation that will accelerate the long-term plan for the NHS, transforming patient care and future-proofing our NHS.’

Other potential legislation will establish a new body to investigate serious adverse healthcare incidents in England and Wales. The new non-departmental public body, the Health Service Safety Investigations Body, would look into incidents that may have implications for patient safety, the government said. Around 20,000 serious incidents are reported in England each year.

Further bills would establish medicine and medical device licensing and regulation following the UK’s exit from the European Union; and reform the Mental Health Act.

The government also pledged to ‘bring forward substantive proposals to fix the crisis in social care to give everyone the dignity and security they deserve’.