Overview

This bill aims to reduce inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes for people with mental illness and learning disabilities in England. It mandates annual reports to the Secretary of State detailing efforts to improve service quality, reduce inequalities in access and health outcomes, and enhance patient experience.

Description

The Health Services Commissioning (Equality and Accountability) (No. 2) Bill requires health service commissioners in England to actively ensure that health services meet the needs of individuals with mental illness and learning disabilities. This is achieved through:

• Mandated Annual Reporting: Commissioners must submit annual reports to the Secretary of State, detailing their actions and achievements related to:
• Improving the quality of physical and mental health services, focusing on patient experience.
• Reducing inequalities in accessing physical and mental health services for people with mental illness and/or learning disabilities.
• Reducing inequalities in physical and mental health outcomes for people with mental illness and/or learning disabilities.

The bill specifies that these reports must outline the steps taken and the outcomes achieved in each of these areas.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify an increase or decrease in government spending. The cost will likely depend on the resources required to meet the reporting requirements and implement the changes needed to address health inequalities.

Groups Affected

The bill primarily affects:

• People with mental illness and learning disabilities: They will potentially benefit from improved access to and quality of healthcare services.
• Health service commissioners: They will have new responsibilities for reporting on their performance in meeting the needs of this specific population.
• The Secretary of State for Health: They will receive annual reports, providing oversight and accountability regarding healthcare equality.

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