We regularly brief parliamentarians especially before a debate including briefings on:
In her speech to Parliament on 3 December the Queen outlined measures to be included in a Health Bill that will create a constitution for the NHS and progress the use of personal budgets in areas of the health service. Read our briefing which outlines the key points.
Chancellor Alistair Darling published the Government's pre-budget report on 24 November 2008, outlining a series of measures to get the economy moving. Some of these will have a direct impact on the NHS including increased rates in National Insurance from April 2011, and efficiency improvements including improved utilisation of NHS estates and expected savings from world class commissioning and revised tariffs. Steve Barnett, NHS Confederation chief executive, said: 'The operating framework will set out the way forward for the health service in greater detail. The main issue from a health point of view is the efficiency savings that will need to be found through the tariff and better use of NHS estate.' Read our briefing.
Alistair Darling's first Budget announced plans to identify further efficiency savings for the period after the current plans that run from 2007/08 to 2010/11. A Public Value Programme will be a continual effort to find smarter ways of doing business and policy - health sector commissioning has been identified for early investigation. There were inflation increases on tobacco and, following research showing the 5 per cent rating of smoking cessation aids had cut prices and increased take-up, this was made permanent. A yearly increase in alcohol duties 2 per cent above inflation was introduced.
The Queen's Speech on Tuesday 6 November confirmed the Government's plans for a new merged regulator of health and social care, as well as a new system for professional regulation. We have prepared a briefing that sets out the main elements - and our views on - the proposed legislation as well as two other Bills that are important for the NHS: the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill and the Climate Change Bill. Read more.
The Mental Health Act 2007 gained Royal Assent on 19 July. It updates the Mental Health Act 1983 through seven major amendments, and a further eighth amendment updates the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The amendments provide better safeguards for mental health service users, with new rights to advocacy, a say in who their nearest relative is and the right to refuse electro-convulsive therapy and other treatments.
Read the new Act
The NHS Confederation and its Mental Health Network have prepared a briefing for members, which summarises the key points of the new Act and the implications for mental health and other NHS trusts.
Briefing on access to NHS services sent to MPs in advance of the Conservative Party's opposition day debate on the subject.
Briefing: access to NHS services debate
Briefing on the reform of acute hospital services in advance of the Conservative Party's opposition day debate on the reconfiguration of acute hospital services.
Briefing: reconfiguration debate
Following consultation, which included NHS Employers collecting views from and responding on the behalf of employers, the Government has today published three documents aimed at strengthening the future regulation of healthcare professionals and improving patient safety. We welcome this White Paper and its supporting documents, which should improve the quality and safety of care that patients receive from NHS staff.
Read the Response to the White Paper
Briefing on the Local Government and Public Involvement in the NHS Bill, which received its first reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday 12th December 2006.
NHS Confederation briefing - 1 February 2007
Briefing for politicians on the latest stage of the Mental Health Bill 2006.
NHS Confederation briefing - 4 January 2007
Briefing regarding Chancellor Gordon Brown's 2006 pre-budget report.
NHS Confederation briefing - 6 December 2006
Briefing on 2006 Queen's Speech and its implications for health.
NHS Confederation briefing - 15 November 2006
Briefing for MPs on the latest White Paper from the Department for Communities and Local Government.
NHS Confederation briefing - 26 October 2006
Why the NHS might be in deficit, where the extra money has been spent and what is already being done by the service to remedy this.
Money in the NHS: the facts
Disability Discrimination Act 2005 briefing
Mental Capacity Act briefing
Queen's speech 2008
The Queen's speech, unveiled on 3 December, sets out the legislative programme for the coming year. The package included a Health Bill to implement large parts of the NHS Next Stage Review. There are also Bills relevant to the health service on community empowerment, equality, local democracy, children and skills, and welfare reform. Themes in the
Last reviewed 15 Dec 2008