Health and Social Care Act

In January 2011, the Coalition Government introduced the Health and Social Care Bill setting out major changes to the NHS. The Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012 and the new system will be operational from April 2013.

Groups of GPs will take over responsibility for commissioning of most health services and Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities will be abolished.

Local authorities will establish Health and Wellbeing boards as part of a new framework for cooperation between councils and health agencies. Patient involvement will also be reformed as local HealthWatch organisations are established to contribute to local planning.

Read EDCM's briefing explaining the changes to the health system.

View EDCM's diagram explaining the structure of the proposed new health system.


Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum

In October 2011, 1000 EDCM supporters asked Andrew Lansley to make child health a priority. In January 2012, he responded by creating a new Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Strategy.

To help develop this strategy, Lansley set up a Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum - an equivalent to the NHS Future Forum 'listening exercise' for child health.

EDCM told the Forum to ask Andrew Lansley to:

•    Make sure every level of the new system is required to make improving health services for disabled children a priority

•    Make sure all levels of the new system are accountable for delivering excellent health services for disabled children

•    Make sure Outcomes Frameworks measure whether all services work for children and whether they help them to lead ordinary lives

Read EDCM's full submission to the Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum  here.

The Forum's report is now available on the Department for Health's website. EDCM has urged Government to accept the recommendations of the Forum as a matter of urgency. Read more here.

Consultation responses

The Government has consulted on key aspects of the new health system. See below for the Council for Disabled Children's responses.

Consultation on joint strategic needs assessments and joint health and wellbeing strategy guidance
Closed 28 September 2012
CDC's response
Original consultation

Consultation on the draft mandate from the secretary of state to the NHS commissioning board
Closed 26 September 2012
CDC's response
Original consultation

No decision about me, without me: Further consultation on proposals to secure shared decision-making
Closed 31 August 2012
CDC's and NCB's response