Overview

This bill proposes to allow for co-funding and co-payments for National Health Service (NHS) services in England. This means patients may be required to contribute financially towards their care, either directly or through an agreement.

Description

The bill amends the National Health Service Act 2006. Specifically, it introduces two key changes:

• Co-funding: The bill permits patients or those acting on their behalf to partially fund NHS-commissioned care. This means patients could contribute a portion of the costs for their treatment.
• Co-payments: The bill allows for co-payments as a form of partial funding for NHS care, alongside co-funding. These payments are made either directly by the patient or on their behalf.

The bill applies to England only, and will come into effect two months after receiving Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill is likely to reduce government spending on the NHS as a portion of healthcare costs will be borne by patients. Precise figures are not available within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

This bill will affect several groups:

• Patients: Some patients will face increased costs for NHS services. The extent will depend on the specific implementation of co-funding and co-payment schemes.
• NHS Trusts and Staff: NHS bodies will need to adapt their procedures to manage co-payments and co-funding, potentially including new administrative tasks and staff training.
• The Government: A reduction in the financial burden on the government is likely, though it could lead to increased inequities in access to healthcare.

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