British Society for Haematology notes the government’s commitment in the King’s Speech to NHS modernisation through the proposed NHS Modernisation Bill. While the Society recognises the potential benefits of a Single Patient Record in supporting safer, more coordinated care, it emphasises that strong safeguards around data use, privacy, and transparency will be essential.
We also note the significant proposed changes to NHS leadership, governance, and patient safety structures, and will review the detail and implementation of the legislation closely as it develops. We hope this parliamentary session will also deliver meaningful progress on workforce planning and sustained investment in the haematology workforce to improve patient care and outcomes.
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BSH notes the government’s commitment in the King’s Speech to modernising the NHS through the proposed the NHS Modernisation Bill. While the creation of a Single Patient Record has the potential to support safer, more joined‑up care by improving how clinicians access and share patient information across services, as many organisations have highlighted, strong safeguards around data use, privacy, and transparency will be essential to maintaining public and clinician confidence.
The Bill includes significant reforms to NHS leadership and governance, such as the abolition of NHS England, changes to Integrated Care Boards, and greater powers for the Secretary of State. We are mindful of the concerns expressed by several organisations about the implications of centralisation, and the NHS in England being focused on reorganisation when much needs to be done in addressing workforce capacity and enhancing patient outcomes.
The Bill also proposes changes to the patient safety and regulatory landscape, including reforms involving the Care Quality Commission and national quality structures, and we will follow further detail closely.
BSH will review the legislation and its implementation as it develops. We hope this parliamentary session will also deliver progress on the Government’s wider healthcare commitments, including publication of a credible long‑term workforce strategy with sustained investment in the haematology workforce.