What the new Health and Care Bill means for the NHS and future privatisation
As the NHS prepares to face its toughest winter on record, the government has just passed a new Health and Care bill that will usher in a huge reorganisation of the health service
Despite following one of the most difficult periods in the health service’s history, at a time when the NHS faces its worst winter crisis on record and has a waiting list of over 6m patients, the bill does nothing to cut wait times, boost staffing levels, or put any money towards helping the 2,000 elderly people whose requests for care are refused every day.
Initially intended to combine social care with health and include local authorities, it was hoped that the bill would make adult social care free at the point of use and force the NHS and local authorities to pool their resources.
However, it’s changed quite a lot from its initial inception – leading to criticism from frontline NHS staff as well as a number of MPs and campaign groups, who say that the bill opens up the NHS to further privatisation.
Will the new Health and Care bill privatise the NHS?
A Unite spokesperson told The Big Issue earlier this month that the bill will bring about a ‘complete break up of the NHS as we know it’.
The new bill effectively divides the single, central, and public National Health Service into 42 independently-run parts, allowing private companies to make decisions about public spending and health services for the first time in its history.
By making space for private firms on these newly-created boards, corporate interests will be given a vote on how health and social care is prioritised in each area of the country – leading to concern that profit motives could override public needs, not to mention the potential for conflicts of interest in the awarding of contracts.
Doctor-led campaign organisation EveryDoctor tweeted that the new bill will ’embed private companies in the NHS in England – giving them the power to decide who gets what treatment when’.
Pointing out that 11% of the NHS budget already goes to private companies, campaigners added: “No one should be profiting from public healthcare, it’s as black and white as that.”
Does the bill enable ministers to interfere in the day-to-day running of the NHS?
The bill gives greater powers over the NHS to Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and creates scope for greater political interference in day-to-day decision making.
There are concerns around this, as Mr Javid has previously questioned why people ‘go to the state’ for health care and said that they ‘have to take some responsibility’ too.
When he laid out his vision for the NHS at the Conservative party conference earlier this year, he said: “The state was needed in this pandemic more than any time in peacetime, but government shouldn’t own all risks and responsibilities in life.
“Health and social care it begins at home. It should be family first, then community, then the state.”
The new bill requires the Secretary of State to be notified of any and all proposed changes, dramatically reducing the ability of the NHS to manage its services day by day.
A report by The Kings Fund examining the bill concludes that this places ‘a significant burden on local and national NHS bodies awaiting decisions – and delaying changes to services that clinicians have already concluded would benefit patients’.
It adds: “Affording such broad powers to the Secretary of State is at odds with the stated intent of the reforms to reduce bureaucracy and empower local decision-making.”
How does the bill address the big challenges facing the NHS right now?
Workforce shortages are one of the biggest challenges facing the sector right now, with staff across both the NHS and care sector currently experiencing high levels of stress, absenteeism and turnover.
However, the bill does very little to address these challenges – and only requires the Health Secretary to report ‘at least every five years’ on workforce needs.
Whilst integrating the system is key to providing better joined-up care, measures relating to the workforce have been criticised as ‘weak’ by the The Kings Fund, with the organisation adding that Sajid Javid ‘could wait until 2027 to produce such a report’.
Instead, it’s called for a “fully funded workforce strategy that addresses staff shortages, boosts retention by improving working cultures and includes a renewed commitment to providing compassionate and inclusive leadership.”
How does the bill affect duties to provide hospital care and patient treatment?
Some experts have warned that the wording of the bill does away with the statutory duty to provide hospital care, meaning that if the bill passes through the House of Lords the NHS will no longer be obliged to care for people in a hospital setting.
Lawyer Peter Roderick and public health doctor Allyson Pollock both say it removes the current legal duty to look after people in hospital.
This also means that options for legal action when care is denied will be withdrawn, as the new bill provides no right to care in the first place.
Each of the 42 new bodies will be given strict budgets, meaning that decision-making powers will ultimately be limited to the short term.
There is some concern that these strict spending limits could lead to longer wait times on care once the money runs out, leading to a potential postcode lottery as services and standards will be dictated by where you live.
Ultimately, the bill means that health care will differ for patients across postcodes as all decision-making will be centered around the needs of the local population with boards deciding what services to offer and what to omit.
How will the new bill benefit patients?
In theory, if the reforms succeed in creating an environment where separate organisations can work together more collaboratively, patients with multiple health issues could see a move towards joined-up care where the wider factors that influence health and wellbeing are taken into account.
Currently, services are provided by a range of different organisations that sometimes work together well but other times do not.
In the future, it is hoped that that bill will enable NHS organisations, local authorities, social care providers, VCS organisations, community leaders and others to work together on long-term health plans – but only time can tell on this.
A petition has been created to make Prestwich’s Oasis-inspired ‘Aldeh’ sign permanent
Danny Jones
We love how Greater Manchester, the UK and, indeed, the whole world have been gripped by Oasis fever – even brands like Aldi, who recently renamed one of their local shops ‘Aldeh’ in honour of Oasis and Manc accents everywhere; in fact, there’s even a petition to make it permanent.
And it’s already starting to gather some steam…
That’s right, the Aldi in Prestwich – or ‘Aldeh’ as we shall hopefully refer to it from now until forever – has seen not just local shoppers in and around Bury, but Oasis fans and even just curious Mancunians visit the location to see it for themselves.
In case this silly but oddly satisfying bit of news somehow passed you by, here it is in all its (What’s the Story?) Morning Glory:
A slightly caricatured and over-the-top impersonation of the most Gallagher-esque voice ever? Maybe. Fun to record? Definitely Maybe.
The sign itself has stood outside the branch located near Heaton Park for just over a fortnight now in honour of the Live ’25 reunion gigs and has drawn plenty of attention.
As described by the creator of the petition, Ella Curtis – a Manchester native herself – “photos of the sign went viral, because it tapped into something meaningful: pride in where we’re from, and in what this city has given the world. In short, Prestwich got its own Blue Plaque.”
Simply entitled, ‘Make “Aldeh” Permanent: A Tribute to Manchester’s Musical Legacy’, you can find a lengthy and surprisingly inspiring explanation detailing why the petition matters down below.
“1. A Tribute to Manchester’s Cultural Legacy
Manchester’s contribution to music – and to British culture more broadly – is unmatched. Oasis gave the world BritPop and helped define a generation. The ‘Aldeh’ sign reflects that heritage in a way that feels authentic, local, and proud.
2. A Source of Local Pride
As a proud Mancunian, I’ve seen the reaction firsthand. The sign has brought a real sense of community, joy, and identity to the area. People stop to take pictures, to smile, to talk. In a time when towns often struggle to feel distinctive, this simple change has sparked something genuinely positive.
3. A Cultural Landmark in the Making
In just a short time, the sign has become a local attraction and even a landmark – a destination for fans. It is a symbol and reminder of how we, as Mancunians all came together to celebrate one of the biggest reunion concerts from one of the world’s biggest bands happening right on our doorstep!
The ‘Aldeh‘ sign might have started as a temporary campaign, but it’s come to mean something more – to this city, to its people, and to anyone who recognises the power of music and place.”
Of course we’ve signed it. (Credit: Screenshot via Change.org)
Already listed on Google as a ‘cultural landmark’, even boasting 5-star reviews, Aldi themselves have responded by saying: “Boss said we also need 10,000 likes and a comment from one of the Gallaghers.”
It’s your time to shine, folks – we’ll worry about the two later.
The ‘Aldeh’ petition page ends with a simple but moving message: “Sign if you agree – let’s make ‘Aldeh’ a lasting part of Manchester’s story.”
Listen, it’s very rare that you see a city, a country and arguably the entire world taken over by a collective obsession and unified love of music and art; with that in mind, you best believe we’re right behind this.
And if you fancy tacking the ‘Aldeh’ sign onto a tour of important Oasis heritage sights in 0161, then look no further.
Stockport school sees under 15s girls football team crowned national champions
Danny Jones
A local Stockport secondary has welcomed home their under-15s girls’ football team as national champions after winning the English Schools’ FA Cup.
Marple Hall School (MHS), located in the south-east part of the old Cheshire borough, is a high-performing educational institution known for its strong investment in youth sport.
Boasting a large sports hall, dedicated 3G footy pitches, MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area), gymnasium, netball and tennis courts, as well as other grass surfaces, many of the town’s nearby clubs make use of the facilities throughout the year.
However, it’s their homegrown talent that is having the spotlight rightfully shone on them this week, as a side of junior female footballers won the prestigious FA tournament for sporting youngsters.
The squad of Year 10 girls – consisting of Marple Hall players aged 14-15 – faced off against Kings Langley last week in the decisive fixture away at Sixways Stadium, home of Worcester City FC and the Worcester Warriors rugby union side.
Following their landmark victory this month, this most recent title has seen them crowned Stockport, Manchester and now National champions, thanks to their 2-1 win in the Development Cup Finals.
Writing in a proud and lengthy post on the school’s website, headteacher Joe Barker described the campaign as “a remarkable run for a remarkable team” and a “thoroughly deserved” trophy, despite coming up against a “really strong team” travelling from the Hertfordshire village.
Barker went on to add: “Team MHS were supported so well by the travelling family and friends, and of course by the 44 students who made their presence known in the stands. Outnumbered but certainly not outvoiced, the chants from team MHS were non-stop and so supportive.
“Not only that, but the whole school got behind the team with the tie live-streamed into every classroom and our halls over lunch.
“My colleagues tell me that they have never felt an atmosphere like it at MHS, the whole school site reverberating to the cheers when the teams came out, when Penny scored her two amazing goals, and at the final whistle.”
He even cited an anecdote of one young pupil telling fellow teacher Miss Gregory: “This is a really mint day for our school, isn’t it, miss? I’m really glad I come here!” He was responding to the moment the aforementioned Stopfordian star, Penny Hallos, scored an audacious backheel to make it a brace.
Unsurprisingly, she earned the player of the match award for her game-winning efforts.
To make things even sweeter, the incredible achievement was also recognised in the House of Commons, with Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart motioning to toast their success among her fellow peers.
Celebrating not just the English championship but their Treble-winning year, Smart declared: “The whole of the town is incredibly proud of these girls for their achievements.
“My recent hundredth speech in Parliament was on ensuring that girls and young women were given the opportunities to participate in sport, and it is fantastic to be able to celebrate these young women who are doing just that.
“It’s great to be able to help celebrate their national success at Parliament, and I look forward to them achieving wonderful things going forward.”
Better still, nearly £1,500 was raised on top of the fund collected in order to help get the girls to the ground on matchday, and all that money is going directly towards further sports provision for the girls and young women’s sport, specifically.
You can watch the game in full down below, but we’ve highlighted that ingenious second strike from Hallos for you (rewind to around 41:45 to see her equaliser).
Congrats again to the SK, Greater Mancunian and now National champions – we hope we go on to see plenty of your names up in lights soon enough.
Georgina Pellant -
23rd November 2021 
