The Government's controversial reforms to the NHS have now become law. The Health and Social Care Bill has gained Royal Assent to become the Health and Social Care Act (2012).

The core principles of the Act mean that doctors and nurses will be able to tailor services for their patients; more choice will be given to patients over how they are treated.

Read more about the Health and Social Care Act:
Department of Health
Parliament
The Kings Fund

Yesterday, the Prime Minister, David Cameron made a speech which highlighted “real changes” towards the NHS reforms. The speech is in preparation for the report from the NHS forum, which is due to published next week. The NHS forum, an independent group of the country’s leading NHS professionals and patient representatives, have been analysing the results from the Government Listening exercise, in which local people had another opportunity to tell the Government what they thought of the proposals.

The key points from the Prime Minister’s speech:

• “Five guarantees” on the future of the NHS which Cameron expects to be held personally accountable on.
• No cuts in NHS spending.
• Competition is still on the agenda for the Government, however: “Monitor’s (Independent regulator) main duty is to protect and promote the interests of people who use health care services and will use competition as a means to that end”.
• Groups of doctors and nurses will be involved in new consortia planning and buying care, not just GP. These groups will take charge of commissioning in their own area, only when they are ready, not by 2013 as stated previously.
• The 18 week limit on waiting lists and the four hour waiting time target in Accident and Emergency will remain. There will still be a focus on the outcome of treatment.

Read the Prime Minister’s speech for more information.

Saima Khan, LINk Policy Officer
Today's White Paper represents one of the biggest shake ups of the health system since the NHS was established" Professor Chris Ham, the Chief Executive of The King's Fund.

Andrew Lansley released his White Paper on the NHS on Monday. The White Paper details a range of proposals for reform to the NHS, as well as a raft of policies designed to make £20 billion of efficiency savings over the next four years.

I've been busy reading the proposals set by Andrew Lansley and also went to an event yesterday to hear him speak. Some of the things I picked from his speech yesterday:

• Outcomes, outcomes, outcomes yes and more outcomes... the health service is going to be increasingly asked on how they deliver outcomes...
• The Secretary of State is looking for innovation, and are open to providers....
• "If you can deliver outcomes, and can provide demonstrable outputs and are part of this culture of evaluation, I can't see why there can't be permanent funding"
• "Want to provide a stronger for LINks and have no intention of throwing them out"

I'd be interested to know if you agree or disagree with the proposals.