This week the Houses of Parliament return to full functioning following the summer recess and one of the major legislative priorities will be the Health and Care Bill, especially if they want to try and meet the tight deadlines the Government has set. It promises to be the most significant and wide-ranging reform of the NHS in England since the much-criticised Lansley reforms of 2012. As the NHS is a very public involvement heavy sector, we’ve been following the legislation closely, and you will likely have seen our considerations on what it might mean for consultation and involvement professionals.

Today, we publish our most in depth and detailed consideration of the legislation to date with Briefing Paper 40: Emerging Issues from the Health and Care Bill. Our paper considers the current state of the legislation and its place in the framework of the present NHS public engagement paradigm, before advocating changes that we believe would better preserve and promote the role and importance of public consultation and involvement in the English NHS. In addition, we consider what elements we want to see in the supporting guidance in order to best support the NHS professional involved in engaging the public into the future.

When we start seeing guidance under the Bill, we intend to publish a follow-up briefing note considering its implications for the NHS in England. Until then, we will be seeking to share this paper with policymakers and ensure that the legislation is as robust as possible whilst supporting colleagues across the healthcare sector.

Briefing Paper 40: Emerging Issues from the Health and Care Bill can be found in the Members’ area of the website. For further information, please contact the Institute.