Health Bill

Session 2005-06
Other Bills before Parliament

Short Title of the Bill
Make provision for the prohibition of smoking in certain premises, places and vehicles and for amending the minimum age of persons to whom tobacco may be sold; to make provision in relation to the prevention and control of health care associated infections; to make provision in relation to the management and use of controlled drugs; to make provision in relation to the supervision of certain dealings with medicinal products and the running of pharmacy premises, and about orders under the Medicines Act 1968 and orders amending that Act under the Health Act 1999; to make further provision about the National Health Service in England and Wales and about the recovery of National Health Service costs; to make provision for the establishment and functions of the Appointments Commission; to make further provision about the exercise of social care training functions; and for connected purposes.

Extract from Explanatory Note produced by Government Department   
The Bill would make 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; power to amend the minimum age of sale of tobacco; 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authorities; injury cost recovery in the NHS; transfer of criminal liability in the NHS; and provisions to remove out-of-date references to Welsh health authorities. (Source: Explanatory Note Bill 76- EN)

Bill Information

European Convention on Human Rights
A statement of compatibility with the European Convention on Human rights is available at the start of the bill as introduced in each House.