MPs debate Health Bill second reading
9 June 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
The Commons debated the Second reading of the Health Bill which aims to improve the quality of NHS care, services and public health
- Hansard: Health Bill, second reading
- Video and Audio: Health Bill, second reading
- Bills before Parliament: Health Bill
- Topical issues: Health services
The Bill's main provisions include:
- giving payments directly to patients to buy health services which will give them greater control over the services they receive
- providing regular information on quality of services for patients, clinicians and managers, to improve local accountability
- provisions to protect children and young people from the harm caused by smoking. These relate particularly to advertising and sales from vending machines
- allowing people who have arranged their own adult social care to have their complaints heard by the Local Government Ombudsman
- introducing a prize scheme for innovative health service provision
- introducing measures to counter failing health providers