The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has issued a briefing to MPs ahead of the Health and Care Bill returning to the House of Commons for consideration of Lords’ amendments.
The Health and Care Bill is returning to the House of Commons for MPs to consider the changes that the House of Lords made to the Bill since January 2022.
The RCP has issued a briefing to MPs ahead of this debate. It is disappointing that the government has signalled its intention to vote against Lords amendment 29 which would have secured national, independent view of how many health and social care staff are needed to keep pace with projected patient demand over the next 5, 10 and 20 years. This amendment is vital to ensure the bill addresses staffing shortages and pressures and without it, we will continue to fly blind on NHS staffing.
Over 100 health and care organisations recently signed an open letter to the prime minister urging him to back Lords amendment 29. A dedicated briefing on this amendment is available online.
The RCP has also reiterated its support for government amendments on health inequalities and clinical research. These amendments reflect several key calls the RCP has been making alongside other key health and care sector organisations, including making clear that health inequalities is part of the triple aim and ensuring NHS England facilitates clinical research as part of its duty to promote research.
We hope progress will be made on including regular workforce projections in the bill given the strong cross-party and sector support.
