Overview

This bill proposes to amend the National Health Service Act 2006 to allow for co-funding and co-payment for NHS services in England. This means patients could contribute financially towards their healthcare, either directly or through third-party agreements.

Description

The bill makes two key amendments to the National Health Service Act 2006. Firstly, it adds co-funding and co-payment as exceptions to the Secretary of State's duty to provide a comprehensive health service free at the point of use. Secondly, it explicitly permits co-funding of NHS care in England, allowing patients or those acting on their behalf to partially fund their care. This co-funding can take the form of co-payments, which are explicitly included under the bill's provisions. The bill applies to England and Wales and will come into force two months after receiving Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill is expected to reduce government spending on the NHS by allowing patients to contribute to the cost of their care. Exact figures are not provided in the bill itself, so the financial impact remains to be determined based on the uptake of co-funding and co-payment schemes.

Groups Affected

This bill will affect several groups:

• Patients: Patients may be required to make co-payments or contribute towards the cost of their treatment.
• NHS Trusts: NHS Trusts will need to adapt their procedures to accommodate co-funding and co-payment arrangements.
• Healthcare Professionals: Healthcare professionals will have to deal with patients who are contributing financially to their treatment.
• Insurers and other third-party payers: These groups may become involved in co-funding arrangements.

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