Key Facts

• The roll-out of the general practice data for planning and research scheme did not go as planned earlier this year.
• Over 1 million people opted out of the GPDPR process.
• Simon Madden is the director of data policy at NHSX.
• The Bill includes provisions to clarify NHS Digital's ability to share data appropriately.
• Information standards are being mandated in the Bill to ensure interoperability between different IT systems.
• Clauses have been introduced to set a duty to share anonymous health and care information when legally permitted.
• The control of patient information regulations have enabled safer and more secure data sharing during the pandemic.
• Saffron Cordery is deputy chief executive of NHS Providers.
• Matthew Taylor is chief executive of the NHS Confederation.
• The panel discusses the accountability structure in the new health system proposed by the Bill.
• Concerns raised about the extension of the Secretary of State’s powers in relation to reconfiguration.
• The system currently, though imperfect, works relatively well according to the speaker.
• Central-local relationship is critical for effective healthcare delivery.
• The Health and Care Bill introduces the concept of integrated care systems (ICS) in large parts of the country.
• There is a need for local flexibility, with some areas potentially having more power at the system level and others at the place level depending on their unique circumstances.
• Mental health networks prefer specifying mental health leaders on boards, but there's an overall preference for maintaining local configuration flexibility.
• The NHS Confederation suggests that five years is too long for a strategic review, proposing three years instead.
• Matthew Taylor supports a two-year plan as a minimum gap between assessments of workforce needs.
• Saffron Cordery emphasizes the importance of an agreed-upon perspective on workforce planning numbers.
• There are challenges in aligning NHS and local government boundaries for integrated care.
• Local flexibility and variation are seen as critical for innovation and effective integration.
• Peer learning and sharing of best practices across different regions are encouraged.
• Health inequalities have been demonstrated during the covid period.
• Local systems could agree on necessary changes but face potential intervention by the Secretary of State.
• Current powers are seen as unnecessary and redundant, potentially creating friction.
• Ian Trenholm is the chief executive of the Care Quality Commission.
• Keith Conradi is the chief investigator at the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch.
• The session aims to examine the Health and Care Bill's contribution to patient safety and quality of care.
• Steve McCabe addresses questions from Jo Gideon regarding hospital food standards.
• Keith Conradi discusses the importance of rapid access and data protection for effective health investigations.
• Edward Timpson asks about the statutory footing for healthcare safety investigations and its impact on understanding why events occur in the health system.
• Keith Conradi mentions a clause that requires people to speak to investigators.
• There are protections within clauses, but they could be improved.
• About 1,000 maternity cases are investigated annually by Keith’s team.
• The medical unions have expressed concern about the impact of the legislation on whistleblowing.
• The Bill's powers are considered sweeping, potentially going beyond what is used in other sectors like transport.
• There is a need for safe space where information can be shared without fear of blame or liability.
• Steve McCabe inquires if there is any additional information to be added.
• Discussion involves formalising the relationship between NHSI and reporting back on investigations.
• Councillor James Jamieson is chair of the Local Government Association.
• Professor Maggie Rae is president of the Faculty of Public Health.
• The panel discusses repealed legislation that changed discharge procedures during the pandemic, focusing on patient needs rather than targets.
• Measures in the Bill address obesity and fluoridation of tap water to improve public health.
• Professor Rae suggests simple toothbrushes and toothpaste as an effective measure to tackle oral health within 12 months.
• The Bill requires ICSs to consider advice from directors of public health.
• Health outcomes are largely influenced by non-NHS factors such as environment, housing, and education.
• There is a two-part structure for the integrated care system involving both board and partnership elements.
• Professor Rae expresses concerns about potential further privatisation despite moving away from a market economy in healthcare.
• The legislation includes public health hooks but may not be explicit enough.
• Strengthening the role of statutorily appointed directors of public health is proposed to improve advice on population needs.
• Professor Maggie Rae highlights that UK's health outcomes have worsened compared to other European countries.
• The statement emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and low-cost interventions like smoking cessation.
• Cllr James Jamieson discusses the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare, moving from treating illness to promoting wellbeing.
• Councillor Jamieson is uncomfortable with not having local say over the appointment and removal of the integrated care board chair.
• Professor Maggie Rae acknowledges the reduction in public health funding since 2013, noting it has been cut by 15%.
• Norris suggests keeping the current system for fluoridation while adding a new Secretary of State-led approach.
• The witnesses were Professor Maggie Rae and Cllr James Jamieson.
• Edward Argar was asking questions regarding the balance between permissive and prescriptive approaches to Integrated Care Systems (ICS).
• Concerns were raised about the powers of the Secretary of State to call in NHS reconfiguration proposals.
• The Bill has nine areas that require legislative consent from the Senedd.
• Clause 125 on advertising less healthy food and drink is an important point for Wales.
• Clause 130, which involves international healthcare agreements, is also significant to Wales.
• The Welsh Government had regular meetings with the Bill and policy teams but key concerns were not addressed before introduction.
• Officials received sight of the White Paper statement only on the afternoon before publication and all clauses just a day prior to introduction.
• Wales is mentioned in the extent of the Bill, indicating some areas affect Welsh governance.
• The discussion covered nine issues with agreements reached on seven.
• Eluned Morgan highlighted challenges in integrating health and care services in Wales.
• Transformation funding was used to drive change but there are ongoing challenges in mainstreaming these changes.
• The Health Devolution Commission is mentioned several times.
• Organisations such as Marie Curie, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, The King’s Fund, NHS Confederation, Carers UK, and UNISON have submitted concerns or feedback on the bill.
• Professor Allyson Pollock and Peter Roderick provided powerpoint slides with historical context regarding section 3(1) of the NHS Acts since 1946.