Overview

This National Health Service Bill aims to restructure the NHS in England, centralizing power with the Secretary of State while abolishing several existing bodies. It clarifies the Secretary of State's duties, introduces Health Boards to manage local services, and eliminates the Immigration Health Charge. The bill also seeks to reduce the government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) obligations.

Description

Key Changes:

The bill re-establishes the Secretary of State's overall responsibility for the NHS in England. It abolishes Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Trusts, and NHS Foundation Trusts, transferring their functions and responsibilities to new Health Boards and NHS England. These Health Boards will be established at a local level, working in conjunction with local authorities. NHS England will oversee regional aspects. The bill also abolishes Monitor, the body responsible for regulating NHS providers, removing competition and licensing aspects of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act. The Immigration Health Charge for immigrants accessing NHS services will be abolished. The bill mandates that the government centralizes and reduces PFI obligations.

Further Details:

The Secretary of State gains new duties relating to public health, including disease prevention, health improvement, and reducing health inequalities. The bill includes provisions for the transfer of staff from abolished bodies, with regulations to determine terms and conditions, including redundancy. Community Health Councils will be established to represent public interests. The bill also includes provisions regarding treaty requirements and parliamentary control over delegated legislation.

Government Spending

The bill anticipates increased expenditure on NHS services due to the centralisation of services and responsibilities under the Secretary of State. The exact figures will depend on implementation and future budgetary decisions. The government will also assume the financial obligations of NHS trusts and foundation trusts under Private Finance Initiative (PFI) agreements, the full cost of which is yet to be determined. Conversely, abolishing the Immigration Health Charge will likely reduce income for the government.

Groups Affected

• Secretary of State for Health: Gains significantly increased power and responsibility.
• NHS Staff: May experience job losses or transfers, with new terms and conditions. Redundancy payments are anticipated.
• NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts: Will be abolished.
• Clinical Commissioning Groups: Will be abolished.
• Monitor: Will be abolished.
• Local Authorities: Will work alongside Health Boards to deliver local NHS services.
• Immigrants: Will no longer be charged for NHS services.
• Patients: May experience changes in service delivery and access.
• UK Treasury: Will take on the financial burden of existing PFI contracts previously held by NHS trusts.

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