NHS Management (ICG Boards) Bill

A

BILL

TO

Amend Integrated Commissioning Group Boards to prioritise expertise and effectiveness in NHS management, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament, assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows —

Section 1: Amendments

(1) The National Health Service and General Practice Act 2023 is amended as follows.

(2) The following provisions are repealed —

(a) subsection 4(a) of Section 4: Establishment of Integrated Commissioning Groups; and

(3) In subsection 4 of Section 4: Establishment of Integrated Commissioning Groups, insert and reorder accordingly —

(a) clinical managers, within the relevant area appointed on five year terms by the regional authority within that area; and

(b) general managers within the relevant area appointed on five year terms by the regional authority within that area; and

(c) operational managers within the relevant area appointed on five year terms by the regional authority within that area; and

(4) Subsection (5) of Section 4: Establishment of Integrated Commissioning Groups; is amended as follow to read —

(5) NHS England may generally regulate the character, conduct and duties of members of Integrated Commissioning Group boards.

(4) Subsection (6) of Section 4: Establishment of Integrated Commissioning Groups; is amended as follow to read —

(6) NHS England must regulate for a minimum number of members upon boards of Integrated Commissioning Groups, and regulate as necessary to weight the votes of board members to be equal in distribution between clinical, general, and operational managers, and general practitioner cooperative members, and local authority members.

Section 2: Extent, Commencement, and Short Title

(1) This Act extends to England.

(2) The provisions of this Act shall come into force the day this Act is passed, and has received Royal Assent.

(3) This Act may be cited as the ‘NHS Management (ICG Boards) Act’.

This Bill was submitted by the Honourable Lady u/Waffel-lol LT CMG MP for Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire, and Spokesperson for Business, Trade & Innovation, and Energy & Net-Zero, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, with contributions from u/phonexia2 spokesperson for Finance, Welfare and Economic Development and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Referenced Legislation:

National Health Service and General Practice Act 2023

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

It is important that our National Health Service is entirely effective and efficient in its management. We cannot effectively run a health service that does not recognise and place trust in expertise and experience. This is a fundamental principle that ought to shape the foundation of our National Health Service management, the unwavering commitment to expertise. In the realm of healthcare, expertise is not merely a desirable trait; it is the bedrock upon which the well-being of our citizens hinges and the quality of projects and care are delivered. The value of expertise and experience in healthcare is not just about knowledge; it is about the ability to apply that knowledge with precision, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility dedicated throughout their career.

However, something that the Liberal Democrats and other parties took issue with was when the creation of Integrated Commissioning Group boards decided to place politics over a well-run health service. Section 4 of the Act lacked the inclusion of key positions that play an integral role in regional clinical practice and operations for ICGs to actually be involved and effectively coordinated, notably that of the management positions. Instead opting to have arbitrary elected members driven by ideological convictions. What this Bill does is amend the original Act to prioritise expertise, experience and professionalism in the appointment of these key decision makers to the board. Their crucial positions will allow for a more tailored and coordinated approach to projects, whereby valuable insight, influence and ideas can be shared and developed for effective implementation and integration of health services.

This division ends at 10PM on Tuesday 13 February 2024.