Overview

This bill aims to address long NHS waiting lists in England by enabling patients waiting over a year for hospital treatment to access alternative, non-NHS care. The government will fund this alternative treatment.

Description

The NHS England (Alternative Treatment) Bill mandates the Secretary of State to create a scheme providing access to non-NHS hospital treatment for patients with waiting times exceeding one year. The scheme will cover both access to and payment for this private care. The bill specifies that regulations detailing calculation of waiting times and funding from NHS England must be created within six months of the Act's enactment. These regulations require parliamentary approval. The bill applies to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill will increase government spending on healthcare by funding alternative treatment for patients who have waited over a year for NHS care. The exact cost is not specified in the bill itself and will depend on the number of patients utilizing the scheme and the cost of private treatments.

Groups Affected

• NHS Patients: Patients in England waiting over a year for NHS treatment will benefit from access to potentially faster care.
• Private Healthcare Providers: These providers may see increased demand and revenue as a result of the scheme.
• NHS England: NHS England will bear the financial burden of funding the alternative treatments.
• Parliament: Parliament will have to approve the regulations implementing the scheme.

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