A public consultation has been launched today on a draft Bill to replace the National Health Service Act 2001.

The National Health and Care Service Bill aims to make sure that the Department of Health and Social Care continues under law to deliver a comprehensive health and social care service. It proposes to introduce a Charter for the National Health and Care Service, a framework for establishing Schemes for provision of care instead of regulations, and continues the requirements to maintain the lists of qualified service providers.

The introduction of a Charter and of a framework to establish Schemes will allow the Department to develop and strengthen services in a rapidly changing care environment. Any Schemes will be subject to public consultation and Tynwald approval.

Commenting on the draft Bill, Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK said: “The first NHS Act in 1948 established a comprehensive health service for the Isle of Man. The aim of this Bill is to ensure that up-to-date legislation supports the delivery of a sustainable National Health and Care Service in the future.”

The opportunity has been taken to propose an additional provision that the use of any of the Department’s facilities by any individual constitutes a contract which would legally oblige them to leave the facility when they no longer needed to be there. For example, the proposed contract will require a patient using a bed in a hospital ward to receive care to leave the hospital when their health care is complete.

A number of the existing provisions from the NHS Act 2001 are restated within this Bill, particularly in relation to complaints, and the establishment of committees.

The Bill should be viewed as a framework document which will in due course provide for schemes and procedures detailing clearly how the National Health and Care Service will be delivered.

The consultation document can be found here.

Alternatively a copy can be obtained by writing to:

National Health and Care Service Bill 2015 Consultation
Department of Health and Social Care
Crookall House
Demesne Road
Douglas
IM1 3QA
Email: Colin.Brew@gov.im  

Copies are also available at the Tynwald Library.

The consultation closes on Friday 23 October 2015.