The main elements of a Bill might be:

• In relation to publishing an NHS Constitution;

• to enable and encourage Primary Care Trusts to be more responsive to their local communities;

• to give greater scope for patients to shape the care they receive.

The main benefits of a Bill could be:

• to reinforce the core purpose and values of the NHS and to introduce measures to make the NHS as effective at preventing ill health and promoting wellbeing as it is at cures;

• to strengthen public involvement in Primary Care Trusts’ commissioning arrangements;

• to allow the possibility for those patients, who wish to do so, to have  greater control over the management of their care.  

There has already been extensive stakeholder engagement throughout England to develop the Next Stage Review in consultation with patients, clinicians and managers. Almost 100 consultation events have been held and the views of approximately 60,000 people – clinicians, patients and the wider public – have been captured through a variety of means – via e-mail or in meetings.

Once Lord Darzi’s review is published in the summer, there will be consultation as necessary on any proposals that may require legislation.