Explanatory Notes to the Health Bill (DH) (27 October 2005) | National Resource for Infection Control (NRIC)

Explanatory Notes to the Health Bill (DH) (27 October 2005)

Other
Abstract: 
These explanatory notes relate to the Health Bill as introduced in the House of Commons on 27 October 2005. They have been prepared by the Department of Health in order to assist the reader of the Bill and help inform debate on it. They do not form part of the Bill and have not been endorsed by Parliament. The notes need to be read in conjunction with the Bill. They are not, and are not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Bill. So where a clause or part of a clause does not seem to require any explanation or comment, none is given. Different parts of the Bill apply to different territorial areas. The application of each is set out in the paragraphs below. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND The Bill makes a number of changes intended to protect the health of the public as well as improve the running of the NHS. The Bill covers smoke-free public places and workplaces; prevention and control of health care associated infections; management of controlled drugs in the NHS; improved provision of pharmacy and ophthalmic services; countering NHS fraud; and replacing the NHS Appointments Commission with a new body with a wider role. In addition the Bill contains changes relating to administration of the Social Care Bursary scheme; the audit of special health authorities; injury cost recovery in the NHS; and transfer of criminal liability in the NHS.
Authors: 
Department of Health
Link:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/069/en/06069x--.htm
Category: 
Management
Prevention
Public information

Expert Review

Expert reviews are submitted by our readers. They help other professionals decide whether the research findings reported in this resource are robust and applicable to their daily patient/client care decisions and working environment. If you would like to help, visit our Contribute page.

Summary:
The explanatory Notes to the Health Bill describe in more detail the various elements of each Part of the Bill They outline the following parts and chapters: -· Part 1: Smoke-Free Premises, Places and Vehicles. A ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces, with certain exemptions · Part 2: Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection - Measures to sharpen the focus on healthcare associated infections (accompanying Code of Practice)· Part 3: Drugs Medicines and Pharmacies o Chapter 1: Supervision of management and use of controlled drugso Chapter 2: Medicines And Pharmacies - Modernisation of community pharmacy and ophthalmic services· Part 4: The National Health Service o Chapter 1: Pharmaceutical Services o Chapter 2: Ophthalmic Serviceso Chapter 3: Protection of NHS from fraud and other unlawful activities - Counter fraud and security managemento Chapter 4: Audit · Part 5: Appointments Commission - Changes in response to the review of the Arms Length Bodies · Part 6 Miscellaneous – social care bursary, NHS cost recovery, Transfer of criminal liability· Part 7: Final ProvisionsThere is a strong lobby at present on Part 1 of the Bill – Smoke free Premises, Places and Vehicles and the Code of Practice on Healthcare associated Infection has been widely circulated for consultation and is still being reviewed.
Questions Addressed:
The explanatory Notes to the Health Bill describe in more detail the various elements of each Part and Chapter of the Health Bill
Type of Study:
Explanatory Notes to a Government Bill
Methods Valid:
Yes
Methods Valid Detail:

Explanatory Notes and Guidance Notes with instructions on compliance are published with Acts of Parliament. Bills refer to legislation that is still going through the parliamentary process; Acts are Acts of Parliament which have been given Royal Assent. See also Department of Health; Health Bill (October 27th 2005) https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/069/2006069.pdf

Results Reliability:
There is at present a great deal of debate and lobbying from interested organisations and the public on the contents of this Bill. It is likely that strong lobbying may have some impact on the final Act of Parliament
Problems or Biases:

There is at present a great deal of debate and lobbying from interested organisations and the public on the contents of this Bill. It is likely that strong lobbying may have some impact on the final Act of Parliament

Relevant Studies:

1. Department of Health; Health Bill (October 27th 2005) https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/069/2006069.pdf

Keywords:
Health Bill public health smoking healthcare associated infection controlled drugs community pharmacy and ophthalmic services
Reviewer Name:
Sue Wiseman
Reviewer Post:
Nurse Consultant –Infection Control, DH
Reviewer Affiliations:
Member Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens Health Protection Adviser Royal College of Nursing P/T Member Infection Control Nurses Association