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Health and Care Bill - Unspecified
14 July 2021
Lead MP
Sajid Javid
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
NHSTaxation
Other Contributors: 50
At a Glance
Sajid Javid raised concerns about health and care bill - unspecified 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 has moved the Second Reading of the Health and Care Bill, emphasising the need to learn from the successes during the pandemic. He highlighted the importance of integration and innovation in health and care services and stressed that the Bill supports improvements that are already underway. The proposed legislation aims to cut bureaucracy and empower those working in health and social care to deliver better services for patients.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked the Secretary of State about support for people with dementia, noting recent statistics showing over 40,000 individuals under 65 in the UK have dementia. He expressed concern that these figures are not addressed adequately and sought clarity on what more will be done to offer support.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Emphasised the need for a hard-hitting attitude towards NHS bureaucracy. He suggested that preserving the principle of being free at the point of delivery allows for innovative private sector solutions.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Critiqued the Secretary of State's proposal as a 'massive power grab', arguing it will lead to political interference in operational and reconfiguration decisions which may not be in patients' best interests.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Asked for confirmation that the Secretary of State has consulted trade unions, particularly on schedule 2 which allows integrated care boards to appoint employees to address remuneration, pensions and terms and conditions.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Welcomed part 4 of the Bill introducing the health services safety investigations body. Warned against changing boundaries of existing integrated care systems, citing Suffolk and north-east Essex as an example.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Did not provide a specific contribution in the given text but was seeking to intervene.
Kevan Jones
Lab Co-op
Asked why the Bill does not include Sir Bruce Keogh’s recommendations on cosmetic surgery industry safety, which have been pending for a decade.
Jon Ashworth
Lab Co-op
Responded briefly to Kevan Jones's intervention, reinforcing the point that recommendations for improving patient safety in cosmetic surgery have been outstanding for a decade.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Dartford
Raises concerns about the Bill's failure to address urgent issues like waiting lists, workforce shortages, and social care reform. Argues that restructuring will not lead to better integration or service delivery.
Kevan Jones
Lab
Durham
Intervened to highlight the impact of budget cuts on public health, citing potential 19% loss in County Durham's public health funding if proposed changes are implemented.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Asked Jon Ashworth about his stance on the Select Committees' recommendations for a German-style social care premium, questioning whether Labour would now be willing to explore such solutions.
Sought clarification from Jon Ashworth regarding support for watershed proposals for advertising restrictions on foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Supports the Bill, stating it contains changes requested by the NHS. Emphasises that while the NHS needs more support in social care and independent safety inspections of integrated care systems, it lacks provisions to address workforce gaps, such as a shortage of 400 psychiatrists, 1,400 anaesthetists, 2,000 radiologists, midwives, emergency care consultants, GPs, and learning disability nurses. Urges the Secretary of State to consider legislating for Health Education England to publish annual independent workforce projections across health and care systems, aiming to reduce reliance on locum doctors and agency workers.
Central Ayrshire
Ms Whitford criticises the Health and Social Care Act 2012 for promoting competition over collaboration in NHS services. She supports removing section 75, which forced service outsourcing to commercial companies but expresses concern about ongoing preference for outsourcing seen in pandemic responses. She emphasises the need for local collaboration, integration with social care, and public funding of health services instead of private involvement. Ms Whitford points out the inefficiencies and conflicts of interest that arise from the purchaser-provider split and financial competition, calling for a shift towards safety, clinical audit, and peer review to improve patient care quality.
Stephen Hammond
Con
Westminster North
Mr Hammond supports the clause by highlighting its alignment with NHS workforce priorities as outlined in the people plan. He welcomes the new powers of direction provided to NHS England and NHS Improvement, arguing they are necessary for accountability given their expanded functions. Mr Hammond also advocates for early reconsideration of reconfigurations by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel, emphasising that this can help overcome political barriers to beneficial changes. Additionally, he expresses support for preventive measures in the Bill aimed at tackling obesity.
Steve Brine
Con
Fareham
Supports the Health and Care Bill due to its establishment of integrated care systems, addressing workforce issues in cancer services, and promoting prevention through measures like food and drink clauses and water fluoridation. The Bill includes positive reforms such as the removal of competition aspects but requires a robust healthcare workforce to be effective.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
[INTERVENTION] Suggests offering indefinite leave to remain for NHS workers on visas to address staffing shortages, echoing Steve Brine's point about the necessity of workforce in primary care and integrated systems.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming
[INTERVENTION] Acknowledges Steve Brine's past work on early cancer diagnosis, noting that the Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into workforce issues and early diagnosis.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Critiques the Bill for potentially undermining NHS values by introducing market forces, which could harm patients' interests. The proposed integrated care systems may enable private sector dominance and hide commercial dealings from public scrutiny, leading to potential privatisation of NHS services.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden
Believes in the NHS and wants to preserve its status. Supports putting ICSs on a statutory footing to improve accountability, tailor healthcare services for different communities, address mental health concerns, and enhance patient care.
Valerie Vaz
Lab
Walsall and Bloxwich
Opposes the Bill due to lack of consideration for NHS staff and patients. Concerned about inadequate resources, governance issues without clinician or patient input, contracts with private healthcare companies, workforce planning, and the timing of the legislation during a pandemic.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Welcomes changes to integrated care for disabled adults and carers. Advocates for parity between health and adult social care, effective collaboration, funding streams coordination, and critical rehabilitation services post-hospital discharge.
The Health and Social Care Bill will make healthcare more accountable, less bureaucratic, and allow local areas to develop practices suited to their needs. The Bill should promote greater collaboration between NHS, local authorities, and care providers in England but falls short by not extending this approach across all four nations of the UK.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
The Bill does not address issues such as soaring waiting lists, staffing shortages, and mental health problems among healthcare professionals. It increases the influence of private companies in NHS decision-making without reversing privatisation or addressing funding needs.
The Bill fails to implement Sir Bruce Keogh's recommendations for improving patient safety in cosmetic surgery, and it does not adequately support public health directors despite their crucial role during crises.
John Stevenson
Con
Cumbria South
Supports the general aims of the Bill, including improvements to health service performance and rationalisation through ICSs. Concerned that clause 125 and schedule 16 may harm the food and drink sector by reducing investment in innovation and potentially impacting jobs and economic growth without significant health benefits.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Critiques the Bill for being inadequate in addressing social care reform, leading to a power grab by the Secretary of State. Argues that without sufficient resources and workforce planning, the Bill fails to deliver better joined-up care and exacerbates existing issues such as staff burnout and record waiting lists.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Welcomes the Bill, noting it is an evolution rather than a revolution. Proposes practical amendments including annual virus drills for care homes, recognising mental wellbeing as a public health issue, and introducing a named person for change on the frontline to empower those at the grassroots level.
Alex Cunningham
Lab
Stockton North
Cunningham criticises the Bill as a 'hotchpotch' that fails to address regional health inequalities and does not adequately tackle smoking, which is a leading cause of preventable premature death. He cites high asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rates in his constituency compared to England's average and urges for a new hospital in Stockton North.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
Trott supports the Bill, highlighting its improvements on patient care accountability through the involvement of the Care Quality Commission and Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch. She also advocates for greater political control in health service decisions.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Esterson criticises Conservative cuts to NHS funding and social care budgets, stating that these have led to long waiting lists for routine treatment and staff recruitment challenges. He argues the Bill will take money away from local services and cites a £253 per patient cut from Knowsley as an example.
Davies welcomes the Bill's intention to better integrate health and social care, particularly its restrictions on high fat, salt and sugar product advertising. He also proposes four key areas for improvement: data collection and interoperability, national-level inspection mechanisms, and equal access to healthcare services across the UK.
Zarah Sultana
Lab
Coventry South
Sultana criticises the Conservative party's opposition to the NHS, arguing that it undermines public healthcare for private profit. She cites examples of past and current government actions that promote privatisation and highlights the financial ties between ministers and private companies. Sultana supports reinstating the NHS as a truly public service with better pay for workers.
Paul Bristow
Party not specified
Bristow supports the Bill, advocating for patient accountability and transparency in healthcare decision-making. He highlights issues such as the impenetrability of NHS commissioning policies and rationing practices, suggesting formal roles for patients on boards and a national appeals board to address these challenges.
Jon Trickett
Lab
Normanton and Hemsworth
Trickett argues that the Bill continues the process of declining NHS resources, leading to more reliance on private healthcare. He highlights specific examples such as delayed cataract operations due to waiting lists and cuts in staff numbers and pay. Trickett warns against privatisation and criticises the Bill's potential for centralisation, making services less accessible.
Peter Aldous
Party not specified
Aldous supports the general aims of the Bill but raises concerns about specific issues such as retaining existing ICS boundaries and addressing NHS dentistry shortages. He advocates for greater accountability and protection of dental budgets, while urging caution against potential pitfalls like boundary changes.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Expresses concern over reorganisation of NHS during pandemic, worries about increased private healthcare involvement. Criticises removal of duties on reducing health inequalities from Secretary of State and NHS England. Disappointed with missed opportunity to address social care reform.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Opposes Bill due to past attempts at privatising NHS, highlights previous failed privatisation efforts in Cambridgeshire. Worried about clause removing social work assessment prior to hospital discharges and data sharing concerns.
Supports Bill as it learns lessons from NHS working during pandemic, welcomes establishment of integrated care boards. Notes benefits in streamlining reconfiguration process for hospitals and proposes speeding up ability of foreign-trained physicians to join NHS.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Critiques Bill as ill-defined, blames architects for ignoring frontline staff. Expresses concern over shifting blame to NHS workers and increased private healthcare involvement. Calls for integrated health and social care wholly delivered in public sector.
Newton Abbot
Welcomes the Bill's aims but calls for explicit provisions for mental health and children’s social care. Proposes parity of esteem clauses, a comprehensive workforce plan covering both health and social care, and provision for commissioning of medicines and devices. Emphasises the need to review the big-picture strategy, including training and retention strategies.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Swansea West
Critiques the Bill as a step towards privatising the NHS. Highlights high death rates and record waiting lists under current government policies, suggesting investment in workforce and beds instead of private sector funding. Argues that public procurement is more effective than crony contracts to Tory donors. Criticises the Bill for allowing private companies on NHS boards and outsourcing contracts without proper scrutiny.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Chipping Barnet
Supports the bill as a response to NHS requests, emphasising integrated care systems and commitment to raise funding. Proposes conducting and funding research through the new structures and improving workforce planning, particularly for GPs.
Clapham and Brixton
Criticises the Bill as a means to privatise the NHS. Calls for increased funding, reduction of outsourcing without proper scrutiny, transparency, and accountability. Argues that privatisation during the pandemic has led to contract failures and ineffective service delivery.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Supports the Bill but argues for a levy on tobacco companies to fund smoking reduction initiatives. Cites Cancer Research UK analysis showing that achieving smoke-free England by 2030 will be delayed in poorer communities without additional measures. Proposes a comprehensive plan including a 'polluter pays' levy and calls for amendments to tackle smoking addiction effectively.
Critiques the Bill as a top-down reorganisation of the NHS without guaranteeing better patient outcomes or carer rights. Suggests changes to put a duty on the NHS to consider carers in their own right and not just in relation to patients. Expresses concern over clauses undermining carers’ rights, particularly regarding hospital discharge assessments.
Welcomes the Bill as a means to integrate NHS and social care more effectively. Emphasises the importance of providing comprehensive support for people with lifelong conditions like diabetes, highlighting the need for joined-up care pathways from diagnosis throughout their lives.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Mr. Madders criticises the centralization of power under the Secretary of State, lack of public consultation in setting up ICS boundaries, veto powers over funding decisions, absence of mental health representation on boards, transparency issues in decision-making processes, potential cronyism, insufficient safeguards for contract awards, and inadequate focus on workforce planning and social care integration. He also questions the need for another reorganisation during a pandemic.
Edward Argar
Con
Melton and Syston
Argues that the Health and Care Bill is supported by the NHS and other key stakeholders, emphasising its collaborative nature. Mentions specific endorsements from the NHS Confederation, Age UK, and The King’s Fund. Challenges opposition claims of 'meddling' or privatisation, citing previous Labour government actions. Highlights the need to move at pace with implementation as per NHS requests.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Intervenes to correct a misstatement by Edward Argar regarding her stance on the principle of the Secretary of State taking powers in reconfiguration.
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