MPs approve devolved powers over healthcare

New laws conferring devolved powers over healthcare have been approved by MPs amid BMA warnings that the changes have ‘significant implications’ for the NHS. Parliament this week approved the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill, which seeks to grant greater powers to local authorities over areas such as health and social care services. But the BMA has continued to lobby MPs on the potential impact of a piecemeal approach to devolving healthcare commissioning responsibilities. In a briefing before the bill’s report stage, the BMA emphasised that in all cases of devolution, the health secretary should remain ultimately accountable to Parliament and be responsible for setting out the standards, accountability and reporting arrangements in devolved areas. It also warned that in approving the changes it was vital that resources were allocated fairly to avoid disparity in service standards across different areas. The BMA supported an amendment to the bill reaffirming that the regulatory and supervisory functions remain with the health secretary. The bill has now completed its progression through Parliament.   The story so far Devolution of healthcare Devolution Manchester details and proposals The road to devolution
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news