What will it mean? Chris Ham speaks

What will the Health and Social Care Bill mean for the NHS in England? 

• An editorial by Chris Ham. 
• BMJ 2012;344:e2159 20 March 2012

Sir David Nicholson speaks

The Month: Special Issue 52, 29 March 2012

• This special issue of ‘the month’ carries a detailed letter from NHS Chief Executive Sir David Nicholson on the passing of the Health and Social Care Bill and what the new Act means to the NHS now and from 2013/14.

‘No decisions about us, without us’ - patient involvement in care

‘No decision’ – how the Health and Social Care Act should help patient involvement in care
National Voices, March 2012

• The duties for commissioners were amended in the Health and Social Care Bill to secure the involvement of 'each patient' in their care and treatment. This briefing looks at the meaning and significance of these new clauses.

Local Healthwatch – the amended policy explained

Local Healthwatch – the amended policy explained
Department of Health, 2 March 2012

• Read about the amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill about local Healthwatch.

Health and Social Care Bill becomes law

Health and Social Care Bill gains Royal Assent 27 March 2012

• Read the House of Lords amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill bill in the House of Lords Library briefing or Nuffield Trust briefing 

Mapping the budgets across the new NHS structures

Baseline spending estimates for the new NHS and Public Health commissioning architecture
Department of Health,  7 February 2012

• This paper uses the spending data from existing NHS organisations to estimate budget required by organisations under the new NHS structure - including CCGs, NHS Commissioning Board and Public Health.

Health sector regulation

Sector regulation: a short guide to the Health and Social Care Bill
DH 23 Feb 2012

• The Health and Social Care Bill will establish legal framework for sector regulation to protect patients’ interests. This document provides an overview of the Government’s proposals for sector regulation in healthcare. It will apply to all NHS services – NHS trusts and foundation trusts, independent sector providers, charities and social enterprises.

Health Minister justifies the bill

Ten reasons why we need a Bill to make these reforms work
DH, 15 Feb 2012

• Health Minister Simon Burns explains why the Health and Social Care Bill is needed to make the changes that are being proposed for the NHS.