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Health and Social Care Bill
01 June 2026
Lead MP
James Murray
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
NHS
Other Contributors: 77
At a Glance
James Murray raised concerns about health and social care bill in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, moved the Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill. He emphasised the personal significance of the NHS in his life due to a rare neurological condition he faced 18 years ago. The bill aims to build on recent Labour Government achievements such as reducing waiting lists by over half a million people, increasing GP numbers by 2,000 and mental health workers by 8,500, ensuring four in five patients are seen within four hours in A&E, and opening community diagnostic centres across the country. He acknowledged regional variations but stressed that local areas will receive support to improve services evenly. The bill seeks to integrate patient voices into service planning and delivery through national and local health watches.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Asked the Secretary of State about improving access to radiotherapy, citing lower figures compared to OECD standards. Emphasised the need for equitable access to advanced treatment across all regions.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Wood Green
Congratulated the Secretary of State on his speech and acknowledged Healthwatch Haringey's role in championing local health ecosystems. Asked for reassurance that both how services are delivered and what is done will be integral to the Bill, ensuring everyone feels included in the NHS.
Calum Miller
Lab
Blyth Valley
Welcomed the themes of ambition and patient voice in the bill. Asked for reassurance that bringing local healthwatch scrutiny to a higher level would not diminish their independence, highlighting examples like Healthwatch Oxfordshire.
Sarah Coombes
Lab
Rotherham
Asked the Secretary of State if reducing inequalities is at the heart of the Bill. Highlighted her constituency's third lowest healthy life expectancy in the UK, seeking assurance that her constituents will benefit from the bill.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Welcomed the Secretary of State to his role and acknowledged the NHS's best practices. Raised concerns about silencing patient voices due to scrapping independent bodies like Healthwatch, asking for assurance that the patient voice remains central.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Barnsley East
Asked a question but the content was not provided in the transcript.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Lab
Walthamstow
Welcomed the Secretary of State to his role and raised concerns about Hinchingbrooke hospital's need for an electronic patient record system, requesting funding assurance.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Asked about safeguards for sharing patients' data, particularly children's care data.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Congratulated the Secretary of State on his new position and raised concerns about the single patient record, questioning data management practices and vendor lock-in. Asked for assurances that patients can control their data.
Kim Johnson
Constituency not specified
Pressed the Secretary of State to rule out Palantir being awarded the single patient record, citing criticism of previous contracts. Raised concerns about data misuse.
Jeremy Corbyn
Lab
Islington North
Asked for intervention on a point, likely regarding the single patient record or related issues.
Luke Evans
Constituency not specified
Asked about the impact of the Secretary of State becoming data controller of all health data under the new system.
Julie Minns
Lab
Cumbria
Highlighted challenges for cross-border communities in accessing their single patient record. Asked to work with Scotland and Wales to ensure seamless care.
Clwyd East
Suggested that the single patient record would be beneficial for allergy treatment in Wales and called on the Welsh Government to follow suit.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Expressed concerns about the abolition of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, arguing that it was a mistake. Questioned whether royal colleges were consulted on this decision.
Vikki Slade
Constituency not specified
Asked about the role of hospital trust governors, expressing concern that community voices might be reduced with the creation of ICBs and other changes.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Asked for assurances regarding the impact of ICBs on the provision of eye tests across different regions to avoid a postcode lottery.
Gregory Stafford
Constituency not specified
Asked about potential redundancy payments and rehiring practices as part of the changes proposed in the Bill.
Tom Gordon
Constituency not specified
Pressed multiple speakers for further details regarding their concerns and questions about the single patient record and other aspects of the Bill.
Questions the justification for once-in-a-generation changes to the NHS, suggesting that such rhetoric may not be warranted.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Challenges the Conservative position by pointing out that he left the NHS in a better state than when he found it, criticising the focus on bureaucracy removal without addressing actual health service issues.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Highlights that while there are principles to be welcomed in the Bill, unchecked state control must be resisted and genuine accountability must be ensured.
Suggests the new Secretary of State should consider conceding that some changes are not as intended to restore public confidence in accountability and scrutiny.
Expresses concern that the Bill centralises power rather than devolving it, which could undermine local accountability.
Highlights concerns about the Bill's impact on Northern Ireland and Wales, particularly regarding regulatory oversight in devolved matters.
Agrees with the Bill’s aim to simplify the NHS structure by putting an end to arm's length bodies created under Andrew Lansley, suggesting it increases democratic accountability.
Argues that transferring powers from unelected quangos to a directly accountable Secretary of State improves overall NHS accountability.
Concerned about centralisation potentially leading MPs and constituents away from local engagement with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in favour of direct communication with the Secretary of State.
Judith Cummins
Lab
Bradford South
Welcomed the Secretary of State and the Bill, highlighting progress made on waiting times but expressing concerns about ongoing PFI costs impacting NHS budgets. Emphasised the need for more national co-ordination in spinal cord injury services based on an APPG inquiry. Raised questions regarding transferring commissioning from national oversight to ICBs and asked for assurances that localised commissioning will improve outcomes and equity.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough
Welcomed the Health Secretary and expressed concern about historic PFI costs impacting NHS trusts, including South Tees hospitals. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on spinal cord injury, he highlighted the need for a national strategy and framework due to fragmented services and postcode variations. Stressed that transferring responsibility to multiple ICBs might worsen outcomes or equity without evidence supporting it. Called for more co-ordination and consistency in care delivery.
Helen Morgan
Lab
North Shropshire
Critiques the bill for failing to address the social care crisis, mental health funding inadequacies, and lack of community focus. Argues that ICBs are already overstretched due to budget cuts yet given more responsibilities. Emphasises the importance of patient voice through Healthwatch and local representation on ICBs.
North Norfolk
Welcomes clause 4 aimed at reducing health inequalities but suggests it should explicitly address equality of access and outcomes for rural and coastal communities. Supports the bill's intent to improve healthcare accessibility in underserved areas.
Ben Spencer
Con
Penrith and The Border
Supports the abolition of NHS England but raises concerns about accountability. Local integrated care boards are failing to deliver timely autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessments, limiting his ability as an MP to advocate for change. He suggests that ICBs should be directly accountable to local politicians or mayors.
Wes Streeting
Lab
Ilford North
Mr. Streeting supports the Bill's modernisation efforts, highlighting its potential to reduce waiting lists through reforms such as cutting agency staff costs and funding GPs for community treatment. He also notes that the NHS is on track with record levels of activity despite strike actions by the British Medical Association. The Bill aims to abolish unnecessary layers in NHS England to focus more resources on frontline care.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Moran raises concerns about the merger of NHS England, expressing scepticism over its potential to improve service delivery. She emphasises the need for evidence-based prevention, joined-up thinking, and patient-centred decision-making. Moran also highlights issues around Healthwatch's independence and the importance of financial flows and integration in achieving the goals set out in the Bill.
Alex Brewer
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Brewer interjected to highlight that abolishing Healthwatch will leave vulnerable patients without a voice, pointing to delays in ADHD assessments and the national trend of such issues. He supports Moran's concerns about the independence of the statutory body.
Liam Conlon
Con
Beckenham and Penge
Conlon emphasises the need for improvements in rare diseases like brain cancer, advocating for a digital single patient record, enhanced funding for research and clinical trials, and sustained commitment to improving outcomes. He highlights Alex Savage's case as an example of how families are affected by delays and lack of access to necessary treatments.
Sarah Bool
Con
South Northamptonshire
Welcomes steps to improve patient care but emphasises the need for robust safeguards around data privacy and transparency. Supports a single patient record system but calls for more assurances from the Government regarding data security, liability protection for GPs, and involvement of nursing staff in design processes. Raises concerns about potential fragmentation and inequalities affecting specialised areas like diabetes care. Advocates for maintaining bodies that speak on behalf of patients, especially children.
Jennifer Craft
North East Derbyshire
Con
Welcomes measures in the Bill to improve accountability and prevent underperformance in NHS trusts. Supports deauthorisation of failing foundation trusts by the Secretary of State to ensure better healthcare delivery. Calls for further provisions in the Bill regarding special educational needs and disabilities, including a statutory duty on integrated care boards around SEND services, and more robust commissioning of allied health professionals.
Steve Darling
Torbay
Liberal Democrat
Raises concerns about job cuts in Torbay's NHS despite Government claims of investment. Criticises the binning of section 75 arrangements and Healthwatch, highlighting the importance of partnership working between adult social care providers and the NHS for better care outcomes. Argues against handing over responsibility to acute care services without proper collaboration.
Birmingham Erdington
Supports parts of the Bill, but expresses concern about centralisation and weakening patient representation. Argues for protecting local partnership, focusing on health inequalities and prevention, and maintaining strong focus on place.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Glasgow North
Advocates for ICBs due to increased accountability and transparency compared to clinical commissioning groups. Expresses concern about centralisation of power and abolition of Healthwatch, but highlights improvements in healthcare infrastructure.
Daniel Francis
Con
Havant
Supports measures to improve community equipment commissioning for disabled people. Points out disparities within and between ICB areas, highlighting need for consistent national standards and accountability.
Gideon Amos
Lab
Taunton and Wells
He opposes weakening patient voices, citing misuse of NHS records by Palantir. Highlights ongoing infrastructure problems in Taunton and Wellington’s maternity and paediatric department, emphasising the need for improvements in patient care conditions.
Sonia Kumar
Lab
Redditch
Supports technological advancement to improve healthcare, advocating for a 'health biosystem' that integrates social determinants of health and uses technology to understand communities. She envisions a system where health is shaped not in hospitals but in homes, schools, streets, and workplaces.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Laments the proposed abolition of HSSIB as a profound mistake that downgrades safety priority in healthcare. Argues for an independent body to investigate safety incidents without conflict, criticising the Dash review's emphasis on quality over safety and advocating for a more effective system similar to rail accident investigation.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Leicester South
Welcomes the introduction of a single unified patient record and highlights its benefits in reducing fragmented medical records. Emphasises the need for strong safeguards to ensure data privacy and security. Raises concerns about the abolition of HSSIB, calling for independence and confidence in patient safety investigations. Expresses worry over changes to NHS foundation trust boards' composition.
Shockat Adam
Lab
Leicester South
Highlights glaring inequality in primary care access based on deprivation levels and calls for a statutory duty to reduce health inequalities. Criticises the localisation of NHS sight tests, citing examples of services being withdrawn in Coventry and Warwickshire and moved back into hospitals in Hampshire. Urges for consistent clinical decision-making across glaucoma pathways. Raises concerns about abolishing NHS England due to historical concerns over PFI arrangements. Expresses reservations about the NHS federated data platform contract with Palantir.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Supports the national determination of 'what' but criticises the lack of local focus in delivering prevention. Opposes clauses that strip healthwatch powers, citing its independence in giving patients confidence to raise voices. Calls for continued role of HSSIB in investigations. Supports public inquiry into NHS reforms.
Adrian Ramsay
Lab
Wellington
Expresses concern that while the Government presents the Bill as devolving power and enhancing patient control, it actually centralises power in the hands of the Secretary of State. Highlights inequalities in health outcomes between different postcodes. Criticises the abolition of statutory duty underpinning local independent patient voice, including Healthwatch organisations. Questions the potential misuse of powers by a pro-privatisation Secretary of State and calls for clear legal frameworks to tackle health inequalities.
Lewis Atkinson
Con
Hexham
Supports the Bill's attempt to improve accountability in the NHS by clarifying roles. Acknowledges costs to staff morale but believes the overall diagnosis is correct regarding the need for regulatory changes. Emphasises the development of strategic commissioning capabilities and questions removal of local authority representation on ICBs. Calls for progress on delivering parity of esteem for mental health services, including reporting on waiting times.
Bristol North West
Welcomes the accountability conferred on the Secretary of State but raises concerns about centralisation and its alignment with devolution agenda. Criticises slow responses from Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and UK National Screening Committee. Raises serious concerns over data privacy with a single patient record system and questions how NICE recommendations will be handled under the Bill.
Alex McIntyre
Lab
Gloucester
Mr. McIntyre supports the Bill but urges for further action on health inequalities, mental health services investment and obesity measures. He highlights a decade-long life expectancy gap in Gloucester due to deprivation and poverty, suggesting a statutory requirement for Ministers to consider impacts of policy decisions on health inequalities. Additionally, he mentions that today 20% of all ill-health in the UK is due to mental health conditions while only 9% of NHS spending goes towards it.
Andrew George
Lib Dem
St Ives
Mr. George supports parts of the Bill, particularly those that address deficiencies of the 2012 Act but expresses concerns over the abolition or merging of HSSIB into CQC. He points out geographical inequalities in health services such as stroke treatments in west Cornwall where people need to travel long distances for sub-specialty care.
Andy MacNae
Lab
Rossendale and Darwen
Mr. MacNae welcomes the modernisation efforts in the Bill, highlighting the need to end corridor care at Blackburn A&E as a crucial test for NHS modernisation. He questions if the Bill goes far enough and whether amendments will be needed after Baroness Amos' report on maternity safety.
Martin Wrigley
Lab
St Helens South & Whiston
Mr Wrigley is concerned about the proposed changes in data privacy and access to support a centralised single patient record. He emphasises that Healthwatch should not be amalgamated with other regulators because it serves as a vital voice for patients, distinct from the NHS itself. He also highlights concerns about the removal of all protection of patient data under proposed new sections 250E(1) and (3).
During an intervention, Mr Naish agrees with Mr Wrigley's arguments about Healthwatch. He highlights that Healthwatch has been mentioned over 100 times in the past five years and plays a crucial role in providing research insights to Members of Parliament.
Mary Foy
Lab
Dudley North
Ms Foy supports the Government’s commitment to shifting the NHS from sickness to prevention, but raises concerns about the safety and voices of patients. She emphasises the need for robust independent scrutiny and highlights issues in dental care and breast cancer care. Ms Foy stresses the importance of safeguards on NHS data and transparency around access by private providers.
Brian Mathew
Lab
Bridgwater and West Somerset
Mr Mathew is alarmed at the proposed abolition of Healthwatch, which he sees as an independent champion for patient care. He raises concerns about ICBs being handed more responsibility while facing significant staff cuts and reorganisation. Mr Mathew emphasises the need for independent scrutiny and oversight of health services.
Dave Robertson
Lab
West Bromwich East
Mr Robertson highlights issues with planning and delivery in his constituency, particularly the failure to provide a new doctors' surgery in Burntwood. He argues that these issues reinforce the need for changes proposed by the Bill to ensure better planning and oversight of NHS services.
Expressed concerns over the Bill’s approach to removing independent scrutiny in the NHS, arguing that patient safety could be compromised. Raised issues from previous inquiries such as Mid Staffordshire and Morecambe Bay where self-scrutiny failed. Cited a case in Cambridge University Hospitals trust involving missed opportunities for addressing concerns about a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon resulting in harm to children. Emphasised the importance of maintaining independent scrutiny.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
[INTERVENTION] Responded by referring to the Dash review's criticism of HSSIB and argued that merging CQC and HSSIB would limit independent scrutiny.
Beccy Cooper
Lab
Lancashire West
Welcomed the Bill as a response to the NHS 10-year plan. Supported the idea of a single patient record, acknowledging past failures and emphasising the importance of public trust in health data systems. Highlighted the need for explicit requirements for population health considerations at ICB level.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
Welcomed modernisation but expressed concerns over poor consultation and decision-making processes by Greater Manchester ICB regarding NHS-funded IVF treatment. Mentioned constituent concerns about Palantir and public data initiatives. Emphasised the need to address health inequalities in his constituency.
Simon Opher
Con
Stroud
Dr. Opher strongly supported the Bill, emphasising its importance in improving patient care by allowing clinicians to access comprehensive medical information. He criticised the current reliance on outdated communication methods such as fax machines and highlighted the benefits of a single patient record for research and data management. Dr. Opher expressed concerns about potential misuse of health data and the involvement of companies like Palantir.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon
Ms. Twist welcomed the Bill but raised concerns regarding the management and handling of patient data, independence of Healthwatch, and parity of esteem for mental health services. She advocated for strengthening the patient voice and ensuring that any new system enhances accessibility to mental health services.
Rochester and Strood
Supports the Bill as a critical supporter of changes made, noting improvements in NHS waiting lists and treatment. Expresses concerns about headcount reduction plans and potential unintended consequences from the merger, citing previous reforms' costs and inefficiencies. Urges proper planning for reorganisation.
Sojan Joseph
Lab
Bradford South
Welcomes the Bill's improvements to NHS efficiency and accountability, highlighting the single patient record system as a key improvement. Supports abolishment of NHS England due to excessive bureaucracy, advocating for frontline service funding. Requests assurances that mental health services will benefit from the new system.
Josh Newbury
Con
Wycombe
Welcomes the Bill's emphasis on patient care and single patient record, citing personal experiences. Supports abolition of NHS England for shifting resources to frontline services but raises concerns about potential loss of valuable NHS communicators during restructuring.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Welcomes improvements in healthcare access and conditions under Labour, highlighting specific local achievements. Supports single patient record for reducing burden on patients and carers, advocating for further frontline service improvements.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Bournemouth East
The MP highlighted her local area's benefits from significant NHS investment, including new facilities and services. She emphasised support for the NHS 10-year plan’s goal of moving towards prevention and community care. Key points included improved maternity and mental health care in Dorset, better access to specialist care for children with SEND, and assistance to homeless populations through HealthBus. The MP also discussed hospice at home hubs for elderly patients to improve end-of-life care.
The speaker welcomed the Government's plan for a single patient record but asked for clarification on carers' access to information and stronger integration between local authorities and NHS. She also advocated for identifying next of kin of people who die in care, promoting public health funerals, and addressing health inequalities. Additionally, she expressed concerns about patient safety and impartial investigations.
Jim Dickson
Lab
West Thurrock
The MP welcomed additional investment in NHS but highlighted ongoing issues such as long A&E wait times and infrastructure problems at Darent Valley hospital. He emphasised the need for proper planning of health services alongside new homes, citing Swanscombe health centre's struggle to cope with patient numbers. The speaker also discussed the importance of integrated care for patients with multiple conditions and raised concerns about independent scrutiny post-NHS England winding up.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Portsmouth South
The MP focused on improving the single patient record system for military personnel, veterans, and their families. She highlighted the challenges faced by those regularly moving locations due to military service and the importance of continuity in mental health care. The speaker urged cross-border collaboration to ensure seamless medical records transfer and praised the Government's efforts in supporting armed forces' healthcare needs.
Wolverhampton North East
Supports the single patient record but raises concerns about cyber-security and data protection. She questions the safeguards against cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, especially with the potential interest of international actors in profiteering from NHS data.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Expresses concern over the Bill's objectives and execution, particularly regarding the abolition of Healthwatch England and HSSIB. She questions the practicality and security concerns of a single patient record system, including data control and accuracy maintenance. Also highlights potential democratic deficits and politicization risks.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
Ms. Smyth argued that the current fragmentation of healthcare services in England is unacceptable, and highlighted the need for a more unified approach to patient care through a single patient record system. She also addressed concerns about accountability and data security, emphasising the importance of robust safeguards.
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