Health Bill

Sarah Coombes Excerpts

2nd reading
Monday 1st June 2026 Commons Chamber

[James Murray]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his words about my taking on this post. I can reassure him that, as I will come to in my speech, the Bill sets out to integrate the national Healthwatch into the Department of Health and Social Care through a new patient experience directorate and to integrate local healthwatch organisations into integrated care boards and local authorities, which are responsible for delivering health and care at local level. This measure is about making sure that patient voices at national and local level are closer to those deciding on and delivering services, so that those voices are heard.

[Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State confirm that the heart of this Bill is about modernising the NHS and reducing inequalities across this country, and that since my constituency has the third lowest healthy life expectancy in the UK—it is shocking—my constituents will benefit from this Bill and all the action on inequality that it is intended to deliver?

[James Murray]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that this Bill is about modernising the NHS. As a Labour Government, our priority is to boost investment and to modernise the NHS for the future. It is exactly that combination of investment and reform that will deliver the health service that her constituents need and deserve.