Health Bill 2026-27

NC76

To move the following Clause—
“Arrangement between the United States of America and the United Kingdom on pharmaceutical pricing
(1) The Arrangement between the United States of America and the United Kingdom on pharmaceutical pricing may be ratified only if—
(a) a Minister of the Crown has laid before the House of Commons a copy of the Arrangement, and
(b) the Arrangement has been approved by a resolution of the House of Commons on a motion moved by a Minister of the Crown.
(2) Before tabling a motion under subsection (1)(b) the Secretary of State must publish and lay before the House of Commons an impact assessment on the potential effects on the health service of implementation of the Arrangement.”

This new clause would require the Arrangement between the United States of America and the United Kingdom on pharmaceutical pricing to be brought before the House for a vote.

NC77

To move the following Clause—
“Medical Disinformation
(1) The Secretary of State must, within 6 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, publish a strategy on anti-vaccine and medical disinformation (“the Strategy”).
(2) The strategy must consider—
(a) support for medical professionals to build trust and engage with persons who are anti-vaccine,
(b) support for medical professionals and NHS leaders to engage with anti-vaccine councillors or officials in local authorities,
(c) investment in public messaging to combat medical disinformation, including engagement with trusted online influencers,
(d) outreach campaigns focused on communities who are sceptical about vaccinations,
(e) introducing criminal liability for those, including online influencers and politicians, who profit from medical disinformation, and
(f) a new verification requirement for any social media account claiming to be a medical professional.
(3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of this strategy before Parliament upon publication.”

This new clause places a duty on the Secretary of State to publish a strategy to combat anti-vaccine and medical disinformation.

NC78

To move the following Clause—
“Healthwatch funding
(1) The Secretary of State, must within 12 months of the passing of this act, enact a scheme to fund Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations for the 2027/2028 financial year to the level estimated by the Department for Health and Social Care in 2013/14.
(2) The Secretary of State must consider uprating this funding with inflation for 2026/2027.”

This new clause would ensure that Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations are funded to the level estimated by the Department for Health and Social Care in 2013/14.

NC79

To move the following Clause—
“Public Health Committee
(1) The Secretary of State must establish a Public Health Committee within six months of the passage of this Act to ensure a cross-governmental focus and consideration of the promotion of public health in government policy and address national health inequalities.
(2) The Public Health Committee under subsection (1) must—
(a) include at least one minister from each government Department in its membership,
(b) include all cabinet ministers in its membership,
(c) be chaired by the Prime Minister, and
(d) meet once in each annual quarter.
(3) Under subsection 2(b), cabinet members must attend at least three quarters of the Public Health Committee's meetings each year.
(4) Each government Department must publish an annual report on their department's consideration of public health in its policy and the extent of joint policy formulation with other government Departments.
(5) The Secretary of State must establish a Health Creation Unit to support the Public Health Committee.
(6) The Health Creation Unit must submit an annual report on its activities, decision-making and cross-government progress to the Liaison Committee.”

This new clause would establish a Public Health Committee and Health Creation Unit to promote public health and cross-government policy making.

NC80

To move the following Clause—
“Duty to promote public health
All Ministers of the Crown have a duty to consider health outcomes and the promotion and protection of public health when exercising their duties.”

This new clause will place a duty on all ministers to consider health outcomes and the promotion of public health when exercising their duties.

NC81

To move the following Clause—
“Minimum service levels
(1) Within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must, by regulations, make provision for minimum service levels to operate in the NHS during periods of strike action.
(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may repeal or otherwise amend provisions in the Employment Rights Act 2025, insofar as is necessary for the purposes of this section.
(3) Regulations under subsection (1) must include provision for minimum levels of service by categories of NHS workforce staff, including all Agenda for Change staff but not resident doctors.
(4) Regulations under subsection (1) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
(5) When minimum service levels are in operation under this section, the NHS must set minimum standards of acceptable service to be provided by the NHS during periods of strike action, including mitigating any effect on appointments, medical procedures, acute services, midwifery, surgical procedures, and any other matters that the Secretary of State deems appropriate.
(6) With one year beginning on the day on which regulations are made under subsection (1), and within each period of a year thereafter, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on compliance with minimum service levels, including reasons for any failure by operators to secure the required thresholds, and actions the NHS is taking to improve performance to meet the minimum service levels.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to make regulations which create minimum service levels to operate in the NHS during periods of strike action.

NC82

To move the following Clause—
“Strike action
(1) It is an offence for medical practitioners to undertake strike action.
(2) The Secretary of State may repeal or otherwise amend provisions in the Employment Rights Act 2025, insofar as is necessary for the purposes of this section.”

This new clause would make it illegal for doctors to go on strike.

NC83

To move the following Clause—
“Exemption from the Public Sector Equality Duty
(1) Any organisation in receipt of public funding to provide health or social care services in England is exempt from the Public Sector Equality Duty (Chapter 1 of the Equality Act 2010) in respect of the provision of those services.
(2) The Secretary of State may make any regulations necessary to amend any other enactment as a consequence of subsection (1).”

This new clause would exempt health and social care services in England from the Public Sector Equality Duty.

NC84

To move the following Clause—
“Publication of data on avoidable deaths
(1) The Secretary of State must publish every quarter the number of avoidable deaths attributed to waits of more than 12 hours in accident and emergency departments.
(2) The Secretary of State must make the data under subsection (1) available by integrated care board area.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish data on avoidable deaths caused by waits over 12 hours in A&E departments.

NC85

To move the following Clause—
“Patient safety recommendations: Government response
(1) This section applies where the Secretary of State commissions a review or a report into a patient safety issue.
(2) The Secretary of State must—
(a) decide within six months whether they are going to implement each recommendation;
(b) publish a response to each recommendation with a clear statement of whether the recommendation is to be implemented; and
(c) publish a timeline for implementation of those recommendations which they have decided to implement.”

This new clause requires the Secretary of State to respond to patient safety recommendations.

NC86

To move the following Clause—
“Referrals by general practitioners
NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts must ensure that all general practitioners are able to directly refer patients to consultants.”

This new clause would ensure that GPs must be able to refer patients directly to consultants.

NC87

To move the following Clause—
“Prioritising British citizens for the UK foundation programme
(1) The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 4, after subsection (4) insert—
“(4A) A person is within this subsection if they—
(a) are a British citizen, and
(b) hold a primary medical qualification from an international branch campus of a higher education institution in the United Kingdom.””

This new clause amends the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 so that British citizens who have studied at international branch campuses of UK higher education institutions can be prioritised for foundation programme training places.

NC88

To move the following Clause—
“National strategy on sexual health
(1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must prepare and publish a national strategy on sexual health.
(2) In preparing a strategy under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must consult all stakeholders the Secretary of State considers relevant, including patient representation groups.
(3) A strategy under subsection (1) must consider—
(a) the adequacy of current funding channels,
(b) equitable access to sexual healthcare services,
(c) sexual health inequalities, and
(d) the adequacy of sexually transmitted diseases test provision.
(4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the national strategy under subsection (1) before both Houses of Parliament.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to prepare and publish a national strategy on the accessibility of sexual healthcare.

NC89

To move the following Clause—
“Duty of health bodies to provide information and advice to carers
(1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must make provision for an information and support service for unpaid carers.
(2) The service under subsection (1) must include—
(a) provision for an unpaid carer to access information regarding recommended care and treatment needs for the person for whom they are caring,
(b) information about services, support and assistance available from the National Health Service to assist unpaid carers in their caring role,
(c) information about the availability of support for unpaid carers provided by local authorities,
(d) information about support available to promote and maintain the health, wellbeing and resilience of unpaid carers,
(e) information about arrangements for obtaining advice, training, advocacy or peer support relevant to unpaid carers’ caring role, and
(f) any other provisions which the Secretary of State considers appropriate for supporting unpaid carers in relation to their delivery of care.
(3) In exercising the duty under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must prioritise proactive identification of unpaid carers and ensuring that information and advice is accessible, proportionate and appropriate to the needs of unpaid carers.
(4) In exercising the duty under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must have regard to an unpaid carer’s willingness and ability to provide care.
(5) The Secretary of State must take reasonable steps to ensure that unpaid carers are made aware of the information and advice available under this section.
(6) For the purposes of this section, “unpaid carer” has the meaning given to “carer” in section 10 of the Care Act 2014.”

This new clause would create a duty for the Secretary of State to provide certain information and advice to unpaid carers.

NC90

To move the following Clause—
“Report on integration of health and social care services
(1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must lay a report before both Houses of Parliament about options for strengthening the integration of health and social care in England.
(2) The report under subsection (1) must consider the integration of health and social care in terms of commissioning—
(a) between local authorities and the NHS, and
(b) between healthcare and social care providers.
(3) Within six months of the report under subsection (1) being laid, the Secretary of State must make provision to implement the option for integration in the report which the Secretary of State considers most appropriate.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to lay a report before both Houses of Parliament about options for strengthening the integration of health and social care in England.

NC91

To move the following Clause—
“Regulations: reference to agreements and standards
(1) The Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 2 (power to make regulations about human medicines), after subsection (4) insert—
“(4A) Regulations under subsection (1) making provision in reliance on section 3, 4, 5 or 7 may refer to international agreements or standards relating to human medicines, including agreements or standards as they have effect from time to time.”
(3) In section 16 (manufacture, marketing and supply), after subsection (2) insert—
“(3) Provision made in reliance on subsection (1)(a) may refer to United Kingdom standards that—
(a) relate to the marketing, putting into service or other supply of medical devices, and
(b) are specified in a list published by the Secretary of State from time to time.
(4) Regulations made under section 15(1) that contain provision made in reliance on subsection (1)(a) about relevant requirements (or exceptions from them) may include provision in relation to a medical device where—
(a) the device complies with regulatory requirements applicable somewhere outside the United Kingdom which is specified in regulations, and
(b) a description of the device and the regulatory requirements applicable to it are contained in a list published by the Secretary of State from time to time.
(5) In this section “United Kingdom standard” means a standard that is—
(a) set by the British Standards Institution, or
(b) primarily developed for use in the United Kingdom, or part of the United Kingdom.””

This new clause would amend the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 to (a) enable regulations to refer to both international agreements and standards and standards developed in the United Kingdom and (b) enable the Secretary of State to dispense with requirements placed on devices which meet regulatory requirements applicable outside the United Kingdom.

NC92

To move the following Clause—
“Medical Devices Regulations 2002: mutual recognition agreements
(1) The Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/618) are amended as follows.
(2) For regulation 1A (Schedules) substitute—
“1A Schedule
Schedule 2A has effect.”
(3) In regulation 2 (interpretation), in paragraph (1)—
(a) in the definition of “mutual recognition agreement”, in paragraph (a), for “country listed in Schedule 2” substitute “country specified in a list published by the Secretary of State from time to time”;
(b) in the definition of “third country conformity assessment body”, for “established in a country which is listed in Schedule 2 and designated in accordance with a relevant” substitute “designated in accordance with a”.
(4) Omit Schedule 2 (mutual recognition agreements).”

This new clause would amend the definition of “mutual recognition agreement” in the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (as it has effect in England and Wales, and Scotland) so that agreements are defined by a list published by the Secretary of State, rather than a Schedule to the regulations.

NC93

To move the following Clause—
“Consultation about medicines and medical devices regulations
(1) Section 45 of the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 (consultation) is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (1), for “a provision of Part 1, 2, 3 or 4” substitute “Part 1 or 3”.
(3) After subsection (1) insert—
“(1ZA) Before making regulations under Part 2 or 4 the relevant authority must—
(a) carry out a public consultation, or
(b) consult such persons as it considers appropriate.”
(4) In subsection (3), at the beginning insert “Where a public consultation is carried out”.
(5) In subsection (4), in the words before paragraph (a), for “subsection (1)” substitute “subsection (1ZA)”.”

This amends the duty to consult in relation to regulations about human medicines and medical devices. It gives the option of consulting such persons as the relevant authority considers appropriate instead of a public consultation.

NC94

To move the following Clause—
“Medicines and medical devices regulations: parliamentary procedure
In section 47 of the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 (regulations: procedure), for subsection (3) substitute—
“(3) Regulations under Part 1 are subject to the draft affirmative procedure.
(3A) Regulations under Part 2—
(a) are subject to the negative procedure if they contain only provision of one or more of the following descriptions—
(i) provision made in reliance on section 6(1)(a) (fees);
(ii) provision amending the meaning of “appropriate practitioner” or “approved country health professional” for the purposes of Part 12 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (see regulation 214 of those regulations);
(iii) provision amending any of the following provisions of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012—
• regulations 217C(3) or 217CA(3) (original pack dispensing for products containing relevant substances: definition of “relevant substance”),
• Schedule 13 (prescription only medicines for which community practitioner nurse prescribers are appropriate practitioners),
• Schedule 15 (requirements for specific products subject to general sale),
• Schedule 16 (patient group directions and vaccine group directions),
• Schedule 17 (exemption for sale, supply or administration by certain persons),
• Schedule 18 (substances that may not be sold or supplied by a pharmacist without a prescription in reliance on emergency provisions),
• Schedule 19 (medicinal products for parenteral administration in an emergency), or
• Schedule 21 (medicinal products at high dilutions);
(iv) provision amending regulation 250 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (restrictions on persons to be supplied with medicinal products: exceptions) for the purpose of changing the products to which any exception from time to time provided for by that regulation applies;
(v) provision that is consequential on provision of a description mentioned in any of sub-paragraphs (ii) to (iv);
(b) are subject to the made affirmative procedure if they—
(i) contain only provision that is made in reliance on section 7 (emergencies),
(ii) contain a declaration that the person making them considers that they need to be made urgently to protect the public from an imminent risk of serious harm to health, and
(iii) are not within paragraph (a);
(c) are subject to the draft affirmative procedure if they are not within sub-paragraphs (a) or (b).
(3B) Regulations under Part 3—
(a) are subject to the negative procedure if they contain only provision made in reliance on section 12(1)(a) (fees), and
(b) are subject to the draft affirmative procedure if they are not within paragraph (a).
(3C) Regulations under Part 4—
(a) are subject to the negative procedure if they contain only provision of one or more of the following descriptions—
(i) provision made in reliance on—
• section 17(1)(a) (fees), or
• paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 (supplementary provision about civil sanctions);
(ii) provision amending or revoking regulation 1ZA of the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (expiry of certain provisions) or consequential on such provision;
(b) are subject to the made affirmative procedure if they—
(i) contain only provision made in reliance on section 18 (emergencies), and
(ii) contain a declaration that the person making them considers that they need to be made urgently to protect the public from an imminent risk of serious harm to health;
(c) are subject to the draft affirmative procedure if they are not within paragraph (a) or (b).””

This changes the parliamentary procedure for certain regulations from the draft affirmative procedure to the negative procedure. The changes all relate to regulations about medicines and medical devices (although the procedural provisions relating to certain other matters are restated in the amendment).

NC95

To move the following Clause—
“Medical devices etc: parliamentary procedure for certain fees regulations
In Schedule 7 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (regulations), in paragraph 12—
(a) in sub-paragraph (1) for “relate to altering the amount of a fee or charge to reflect changes in the value of money” substitute “fall within sub-paragraph (1A)”.
(b) after sub-paragraph (1) insert—
(1A)Provision falls within this sub-paragraph if it relates to—
(a)altering the amount of a fee or charge to reflect changes in the value of money,
(b)altering the amount of a fee or charge to be charged in connection with the exercise of a function which a public authority has by virtue of provision made under section 8C in connection with the EU medical devices Regulations, or
(c)altering the amount of a fee or charge to be charged under the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/50).
(1B)In sub-paragraph (1A)(b) “the EU medical devices Regulations” means—
(a)Regulation (EU) 2017/745 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2017 on medical devices, amending Directive 2001/83/EC, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and repealing Council Directives 90/385/EEC and 93/42/EEC, or
(b)Regulation (EU) 2017/746 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2017 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices and repealing Directive 98/79/EC and Commission Decision 2010/227/EU,
as they have effect from time to time by virtue of Article 5(4) of the Windsor Framework.””

This allows regulations altering certain fees in relation to medical devices etc to be made subject to the negative resolution procedure. At the moment those regulations are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.

NC96

To move the following Clause—
“Report on dementia care
(1) Within 12 months of the passage of this Act and every 12 months thereafter, the Secretary of State must publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on—
(a) the provision of NHS care in relation to dementia.
(b) the provision of social care in relation to dementia.
(2) A report under subsection (1) must have regard to—
(a) any targets or standards set out in a national plan, guidance, or framework relating to dementia services, and
(b) any other information the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(3) A report under subsection (1) must include—
(a) an assessment of variation in dementia services and outcomes between Integrated Care Board areas,
(b) information on workforce capacity, capability and training standards relevant to dementia care,
(c) information on access to ongoing post-diagnostic support services, including support for unpaid carers of dementia patients,
(d) information on continuity and coordination of care for people living with dementia, including access to a named professional responsible for coordinating support across services,
(e) outcomes and experiences for people living with dementia and unpaid carers, including crisis prevention, carer wellbeing, and experiences of joined-up care,
(f) progress on dementia prevention and risk reduction, and
(g) dementia research activity in the NHS.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish an annual report on the provision of NHS care and social care in relation to dementia.

83

Schedule 11, page 191, line 35, at end insert—
“Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
400 In Schedule 1 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (relevant authorities)—
(a) omit paragraph 9;
(b) in paragraph 12, omit
“section 25 of”
.”

This is a consequential amendment to Schedule 1 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which would remove a reference to NHS England and update a reference to NHS trusts to take account of the new conversion procedure created by clause 35 of the Bill.

NC97

To move the following Clause—
“Publication of annual dementia care report
(1) The Secretary of State must publish annually and lay before Parliament a report on—
(a) the provision of NHS care in relation to dementia, and
(b) provision of social care in relation to dementia.
(2) In preparation of the report under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must have regard to targets, standards and outcome measures set out in national plans, guidance and frameworks relating to dementia services.
(3) In preparation of the report under subsection (1), the Secretary of State may have regard to any such measures or information that they consider appropriate, including—
(a) an assessment of any variation in dementia services and outcomes between integrated care board areas,
(b) information on workforce capacity, capability and training standards relevant to dementia care,
(c) information on access to ongoing post-diagnostic support services, including support for unpaid carers,
(d) information on continuity and coordination of care for people living with dementia, including access to a named professional responsible for coordinating support across services,
(e) outcomes and experiences for people living with dementia and unpaid carers, including crisis prevention, carer wellbeing, and experiences of joined-up care,
(f) progress on dementia prevention and risk reduction, and
(g) dementia research activity in the NHS.
(4) The Secretary of State must publish the first such report under subsection (1) within 12 months of the passage of this Act.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to produce an annual report on the delivery of dementia care by the NHS and social care sectors against relevant national targets, standards and outcome measures.

NC98

To move the following Clause—
“Response to the Hughes Report: options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh
The Secretary of State must, within 30 days of the day on which this Act is passed, publish the government’s response to the Hughes Report.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish the government’s response to the Hughes Report within 30 days of this Act being passed.

NC99

To move the following Clause—
“Requirement for merit-based job allocations for doctors
(1) The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 1, at end insert—
“(2) Applicants eligible under this section shall be prioritised based on merit, determined by reference to the applicant’s—
(a) qualifications,
(b) professional competence,
(c) clinical experience,
(d) skills, and
(e) ability to perform the duties of the post.”
(3) In section 2, after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Applicants eligible under subsection (1) shall be prioritised based on merit, determined by reference to the applicant’s—
(a) qualifications,
(b) professional competence,
(c) clinical experience,
(d) skills, and
(e) ability to perform the duties of the post.”
(4) In section 3, after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Applicants eligible under subsection (1) shall be prioritised based on merit, determined by reference to the applicant’s—
(a) qualifications,
(b) professional competence,
(c) clinical experience,
(d) skills, and
(e) ability to perform the duties of the post.””

This new clause would create a requirement for merit-based job allocations for doctors.

NC100

To move the following Clause—
“Single patient record: review of flagging for early cancer diagnosis
(1) Within 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on the feasibility of using patient records held by the health service to indicate, to a person providing health care to a patient, cases in which a patient has presented symptoms on more than one occasion which may indicate the presence of cancer.
(2) The report under subsection (1) must consider—
(a) the potential for such indication to support early diagnosis of cancer in patients aged under 50 years of age, and
(b) any implications of such an indication requirement for clinical responsibility and patient safety.
(3) In preparing the report the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) NICE, and
(b) any other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to report on the feasibility of using patient records held by the health service to indicate, to a person providing health care to a patient, cases in which a patient has presented symptoms on more than one occasion which may indicate the presence of cancer.

NC101

To move the following Clause—
“Plan to manage acquired brain injury
(1) The Secretary of State must, within 30 days of the day on which this Act is passed, publish a plan for the management of acquired brain injury across England.
(2) A plan under subsection (1) must include but shall not be limited to—
(a) proposed government actions to prevent acquired brain injuries;
(b) proposed government actions to improve acute treatment for acquired brain injuries;
(c) a statement of priorities regarding the Secretary of State’s approach for rehabilitation and long-term support for persons with acquired brain injuries across public services delivered by—
(i) the Department for Health,
(ii) the Department for Education, and
(iii) the Ministry of Justice;
(d) proposals for data sharing between government departments, health care, and rehabilitation providers to improve patient—
(i) identification,
(ii) care,
(iii) support;
(e) a commitment providing 95% of people with complex needs with a personalised care plan by 2027;
(f) commitments for research into acquired brain injuries in sport;
(g) any proposed use of directions, guidance, financial assistance, incentives or other mechanisms to secure delivery of the plan’s objectives;
(h) workforce, diagnostic, digital and data requirements for implementation of the plan; and
(i) arrangements for monitoring, publishing and reporting progress against the plan.
(3) The plan under subsection (1) must be laid by the Secretary of State before both Houses of Parliament.
(4) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of publishing a plan under subsection (1), and every 12 months thereafter until 2030, lay before Parliament a report on progress made against the proposals and commitments in the plan.”

This new clause would require the Government to publish their action plan to manage acquired brain injury within 30 days of the passing of this Act.

NC102

To move the following Clause—
“Response to the Hughes Report: options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh
The Secretary of State must, within 30 days of the day on which this Act is passed, publish the government’s response to the Hughes Report.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish the government’s response to the Hughes Report within 30 days of this Act being passed.

NC103

To move the following Clause—
“Requirement for merit-based job allocations for doctors
(1) The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 1, at end insert—
“(2) Applicants eligible under this section shall be prioritised based on merit, determined by reference to the applicant’s—
(a) qualifications,
(b) professional competence,
(c) clinical experience,
(d) skills, and
(e) ability to perform the duties of the post.”
(3) In section 2, after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Applicants eligible under subsection (1) shall be prioritised based on merit, determined by reference to the applicant’s—
(a) qualifications,
(b) professional competence,
(c) clinical experience,
(d) skills, and
(e) ability to perform the duties of the post.”
(4) In section 3, after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Applicants eligible under subsection (1) shall be prioritised based on merit, determined by reference to the applicant’s—
(a) qualifications,
(b) professional competence,
(c) clinical experience,
(d) skills, and
(e) ability to perform the duties of the post.””

This new clause would create a requirement for merit-based job allocations for doctors

NC104

To move the following Clause—
“Implementation of the Women's Health Strategy
(1) The Secretary of State must, within 90 days of the date on which this Act receives Royal Assent, publish a women's health implementation plan (the "implementation plan") setting out how the commitments in the document entitled "The Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England" published on 15 April 2026 (or any successor document) will be delivered.
(2) The implementation plan must include, in particular—
(a) a timetable for delivering simpler access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC);
(b) a trajectory for reducing the gynaecology waiting list and for reducing average diagnosis times for endometriosis;
(c) a plan for establishing the regional specialist centres for group-based women's health pathways, including contraception, heavy periods, uro-gynaecology and menopause; and
(d) measurable targets and milestones for each commitment in the strategy, including a baseline and timetable for delivery.
(3) The Secretary of State must lay the implementation plan before Parliament on the day it is published.
(4) In preparing the implementation plan, the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists,
(b) the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, and
(c) patient organisations representing women affected by the conditions addressed by the strategy.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish a women's health implementation plan setting out how the commitments in the document entitled "The Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England will be delivered.

NC105

To move the following Clause—
“Self-care and health literacy in neighbourhood health plans
(1) Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 14Z58 of the National Health Service Act 2006 as amended by section 24(4) of this Act (neighbourhood health plan) must require that every neighbourhood health plan includes arrangements for—
(a) supporting self-care and self-management, including by enabling people to manage minor and long-term conditions, and conditions that are self-limiting, themselves where it is safe and appropriate to do so;
(b) improving health literacy and ensuring that people living or working in the area have access to trusted, quality-assured information, advice and digital tools to support them in managing their own health and wellbeing;
(c) facilitating access to community pharmacy services, including pharmacy services that support self-care, the management of minor ailments and medicines optimisation;
(d) supporting patients to access the most appropriate level of care for their needs, including through patient-facing digital services connected to any system established under section 250E of the National Health Service Act 2006 (single patient record); and
(e) reducing avoidable demand on NHS services through the promotion of self-care and prevention.
(2) In preparing guidance under section 14Z58 of the National Health Service Act 2006 as amended by section 24(4) of this Act, the Secretary of State must have regard to—
(a) improving health literacy;
(b) the role of community pharmacy as an accessible point of contact for self-care support and health advice; and
(c) the contribution of digital tools and patient-facing services to enabling self-care, self-management and appropriate care navigation.
(3) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the date on which this Act receives Royal Assent, publish a self-care strategy for England (the "self-care strategy") which must set out—
(a) the national framework within which neighbourhood health plans will be required to embed self-care and self-management, including the management of self-limiting conditions, as a core component of local health and care services;
(b) the steps the Secretary of State will take to promote self-care and health literacy as part of the prevention and early intervention agenda across the NHS;
(c) the role of community pharmacy in delivering the self-care strategy, including the services and information that community pharmacy is expected to provide in support of self-care;
(d) the role of patient-facing digital services, including any system established under section 250E of the National Health Service Act 2006, in supporting self-care, self-management and navigation to appropriate care;
(e) the steps the Secretary of State will take to reduce avoidable demand on NHS services through the promotion of self-care; and
(f) the measurable outcomes against which progress in implementing the self-care strategy will be assessed, and the arrangements for reporting on progress.
(4) The Secretary of State must lay the self-care strategy before Parliament on the day on which it is published and must review and update it at intervals of not more than three years.
(5) In this section—
“neighbourhood health plan” has the same meaning as in section 24;
“self-care” means the actions taken by individuals to maintain their own health, manage minor or long-term conditions, including conditions that are self-limiting, and prevent ill health, including through the use of over-the-counter medicines, health information and digital tools.”

This new clause would require neighbourhood health plans to include arrangements for supporting self-care and self-management, including of minor and self-limiting conditions, and for improving health literacy. It would require guidance to the responsible local authority and integrated care boards to reflect these priorities, and would require the Secretary of State to publish a national self-care strategy setting out the framework, the role of community pharmacy and patient-facing digital services,

NC106

To move the following Clause—
“Safe and proportionate reclassification of medicines
Within 12 months of the date on which this Act receives Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must publish an assessment of—
(a) opportunities to support self-care and prevention through the reclassification of medicines,
(b) barriers to appropriate medicines reclassification within the current regulatory framework,
(c) the impact of medicines reclassification on patient access, NHS demand and productivity, and
(d) steps being taken to support a proportionate and agile regulatory framework for medicines reclassification whilst maintaining patient safety.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish an assessment in relation to the safe and proportionate reclassification of medicines.

78

Clause 58, page 43, line 40, at end insert—
“1. (8B) Regulations under subsection (8A) must include provision about the period within which NICE guideline NG206 on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) must be complied with.
2. (8D) The Secretary of State must publish an annual statement on compliance with NICE guideline NG206, including the extent to which integrated care boards and relevant NHS bodies have implemented recommendations relating to ME specialist services and severe or very severe ME.”

The amendment would require that a period must be set within which the NICE guideline NG206 on ME must be complied with by ICBs and other health bodies. Furthermore, the Secretary of State must publish an annual statement on compliance with NICE guideline NG206 across the NHS in England.

77

Clause 68, page 47, line 27, leave out from “to” to the end of line 28 and insert “the affirmative procedure”

This amendment ensures that all secondary legislation as a result of this bill is subject to the affirmative procedure.

79

Clause 47, page 34, line 32, at end insert—
“(4A) In making the regulations the Secretary of State the Secretary of State must ensure that information in a single patient record is aligned with information from the Office of the Public Guardian regarding a patient’s—
(a) next of kin, or
(b) appointed legal representatives.”

This amendment would require the Secretary of State to ensure information in a single patient record is aligned with information from the Office of the Public Guardian regarding a patient’s next of kin or appointed legal representatives.

80

Clause 70, page 48, line 18, at end insert—
“(2A) Section (Medical Devices Regulations 2002: mutual recognition agreements) extends to England and Wales and Scotland.”

This is consequential on NC92.

81

Clause 71, page 48, line 25, leave out “Section 63” and insert “The following”.

This paves the way for Amendment 82.

82

Clause 71, page 48, line 26, at end insert “—
(a) section 63 (Care Quality Commission: time limit for bringing proceedings);
(b) sections (Regulations: reference to agreements and standards), (Medical Devices Regulations 2002: mutual recognition agreements), (Consultation about medicines and medical devices regulations), (Medicines and medical devices regulations: parliamentary procedure), (Medical devices: parliamentary procedure for certain fees regulations).”

This provides for the new clauses listed to come into force 2 months after royal assent.

76

Clause 58, page 43, line 40, at end insert—
“(8B) Any period under subsection (8)(b) within which a recommendation is to be complied with may be no more than three months.”

NC73

To move the following Clause—
“Review of arrangements between NHS bodies and local authorities
(1) The Secretary of State must conduct a review of arrangements entered into by NHS bodies and local authorities under section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006 (Arrangements between NHS bodies and local authorities).
(2) In conducting the review, the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) NHS bodies,
(b) local authorities, and
(c) any other person that the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(3) Following the review, the Secretary of State must consider whether the power to make regulations in section 75(1) or the power to issue guidance in section 75(6) of the National Health Service Act 2006 should be exercised in order to improve the effectiveness of arrangements under that section.
(4) Consideration of arrangements under subsection (3) must include ensuring that financial and contractual arrangements align costs and benefits across relevant bodies.
(5) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament, and publish, a report of the review.
(6) The report of the review must explain whether the Secretary of State decided to exercise the powers in section 75(1) and 75(6) of the National Health Service Act 2006 and the reasons for that decision.
(7) The Secretary of State must comply with the requirements of this section before the end of 12 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.”

This new clause aims to ensure that any review of section 75 arrangements explicitly considers whether regulations or guidance should be used to align costs and benefits across relevant bodies.

NC74

To move the following Clause—
“Report on the abolition of Healthwatch England
(1) Within 12 months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must lay a report before both Houses of Parliament on the impact of the abolition of Healthwatch England and transfer of Healthwatch England's functions to ICBs.
(2) The report must consider—
(a) the effectiveness of escalation routes for complaints,
(b) the ability to receive responses to complaints from the relevant ICB officer,
(c) accountability of ICB CEOs for delivering new functions arising from the abolition of Healthwatch;
(d) independence in the delivery of patient surveys, and
(e) ability to investigate organisations from which the ICB commissions services.
(3) The report must make recommendations about how any issues identified under subsection (2) may be mitigated.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish a report within 12 months of the passage of this Act on the impact of the abolition of Healthwatch England and transfer of Healthwatch England's functions to ICBs.

NC75

To move the following Clause—
“Transition strategy for the abolition of NHS England
(1) The Secretary of State must, before the abolition of NHS England takes effect, prepare and lay before Parliament a report setting out a transition strategy for the abolition of NHS England (the "strategy").
(2) The strategy must—
(a) identify and map critical functions and areas of expertise currently exercised by NHS England, including clinical, operational, analytical and patient engagement capabilities;
(b) assess the risk of loss of knowledge, skills and organisational capacity arising from the abolition of NHS England;
(c) set out the steps the Secretary of State proposes to take to ensure the retention and effective transfer of such functions, expertise, knowledge and skills; and
(d) assess the likely impact of the transition on the delivery of key health programmes and services, including cancer services.
(3) The Secretary of State must, at intervals of not more than 12 months, lay before Parliament a report on the implementation of the transition strategy.
(4) A report under subsection (3) must include—
(a) progress on workforce retention;
(b) arrangements for the transfer of knowledge, expertise and institutional capability; and
(c) any identified gaps in capability and the steps being taken to address them.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to prepare and lay before Parliament a formal transition strategy before the abolition of NHS England, setting out how critical functions and expertise will be identified, retained and transferred. It would also require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament at least annually on the implementation of that strategy.

73

Clause 29, page 21, leave out line 7

This amendment would retain the requirement for NHS Trusts to have a Council of Governors.

74

Schedule 3, page 80, leave out paragraphs 5 to 8

This amendment would retain the requirement for NHS Trusts to have a Council of Governors.

75

Schedule 3, page 80, leave out paragraph 14

This amendment would retain the requirement for NHS Trusts to have a Council of Governors.

NC72

To move the following Clause—
“Surrey & East Hampshire: Dental appointments
(1) Within one year beginning on the date on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must ensure that there is adequate provision of NHS dentistry in Surrey & East Hampshire.
(2) “Adequate provision” under subsection (1) means —
(a) access to urgent dental appointments for any person with an urgent need, and
(b) improved access to routine dental appointments.
(3) The Secretary of State must explain any failure to meet the requirement set out in subsection (1) at a public event in the local area.”

This new clause places a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure there is adequate provision of NHS dental appointments in Surrey & East Hampshire.

NC67

To move the following Clause—
“Secretary of State directions relating to early access to medicines
(1) The Secretary of State may give directions to any of the bodies mentioned in subsection (2) about the implementation of a scheme providing early access to medicines to people with life-threatening or seriously debilitating conditions.
(2) The bodies are—
(a) integrated care board,
(b) NHS Trusts,
(c) NHS Foundation Trusts,
(d) NHS Advanced Foundation Trusts, and
(e) other health and social care bodies.”

This new clause would give the Secretary of State power to direct integrated care boards, NHS Trusts, NHS Foundation Trusts, and NHS Advanced Foundation Trusts to implement a scheme to provide early access to medicines to people with life-threatening or seriously debilitating conditions.

NC68

To move the following Clause—
“Review of the Early Access to Medicines Scheme
(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, commission a review of the regime for early and accelerated access to medicines in England and Wales.
(2) The review conducted under subsection (1) must consider—
(a) the effectiveness of the Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) and Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP),
(b) the effectiveness of the early access outside of the Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) and Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP), and
(c) equality of access across England and Wales, with the aim of reducing geographical inequalities between different NHS trusts.
(3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report and recommendations of the review before both House of Parliament.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to commission a review of regime for early and accelerated access to medicines.

NC69

To move the following Clause—
“GP representation on integrated care boards
(1) An integrated care board must include as a member at least one individual who—
(a) is a registered medical practitioner, and
(b) has current or recent experience of providing primary medical services under Part 4 of the National Health Service Act 2006.
(2) In appointing a member under subsection (1) an integrated care board must have regard to the member’s potential contribution to improving—
(a) patient journeys across services,
(b) coordination and continuity of care,
(c) prevention and population health management, and
(d) integration of services at neighbourhood level.”

This new clause would ensure that each integrated care board includes at least one member who is a registered medical practitioner, and has current or recent experience of providing primary medical services under Part 4 of the National Health Service Act 2006.

NC70

To move the following Clause—
“Duty to engage primary care providers in integrated care boards
(1) An integrated care board must take all reasonable steps to secure the meaningful involvement of primary care providers in the exercise of its functions relating to—
(a) service redesign,
(b) integration of health services,
(c) development of neighbourhood health services, and
(d) population health planning.
(2) In this section, “primary care providers” includes—
(a) providers of primary medical services,
(b) community pharmacy contractors,
(c) providers of primary dental services, and
(d) providers of ophthalmic services.
(3) Under subsection (1), “meaningful involvement” includes—
(a) involvement at an early stage in the development of ICB proposals,
(b) provision of sufficient information to enable informed participation of primary care providers in ICB functions,
(c) opportunities for primary care providers to influence ICB decision-making, and
(d) opportunities for primary care providers to deliver feedback on how their views have been taken into account in the delivery of ICB functions.
(4) An integrated care board must publish an annual statement describing—
(a) how it has complied with this section, and
(b) the impact of primary care providers’ involvement on decisions taken by the ICB.
(5) The Secretary of State may issue guidance about the application of this section to which integrated care boards must have regard.”

This new clause ensures a certain range of primary care providers are consulted by integrated care boards in the development of their healthcare plans.

NC71

To move the following Clause—
“Duty of care for victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls
The Secretary of State and integrated care boards have a duty of care to consider the needs of victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls when exercising their functions in relation to the provision of healthcare services.”

This new clause would place a duty of care on the Secretary of State and integrated care boards to consider the needs of victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls when exercising their functions in relation to the provision of healthcare services.