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’.
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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.
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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.
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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’.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
Rochdale AFC vs York City is set upto be one of the most blockbuster title-deciding matches ever
Danny Jones
In case you haven’t been keeping track of the absolutely incredible story that’s been unfolding in the National League, local club Rochdale AFC and York City have put on one of THE very best season-long shows in recent memory, and it’s all set to be decided this Saturday, 25 April.
Despite both teams having surpassed the 100-point mark and only losing 10 games between them – just four in the case of current ‘favourites’, York – it’s still anyone’s guess as to who could win the title.
One of the most divisive but undeniable dramatic things about non-league‘s top division is that only one team is promoted: the one that wins the lot and lifts the trophy.
At present, the table toppers need just a draw to claim victory and wrap up what has been nothing short of an incredible 2025/26 term, but Rochdale need all three points to pip them to the post after an equally praiseworthy campaign. We can all agree it would make for quite the Hollywood ending.
We’re obviously biased towards the Greater Manchester hopeful, but it’s worth mentioning that The Dale have been just as good value for money in terms of entertainment this year.
Having most recently finished with yet another late goal in (get this) the 99th minute of extra time against Braintree last weekend, it’s basically become a habit for them over the past few months.
Mani Dieseruvwe’s winner is just the latest in a long line of similar blockbuster moments for Rochdalians, both home and away: Luke Hannant won it in the 90th minute to beat Wealdstone in the previous game, Ian Henderson netted in the 97th against Sutton United before that.
There’s also been plenty of goals post the 80-minute mark, and so on and so forth.
Honestly, there have been so many of these at-the-death moments during the 25/26 contest; here’s just one of many examples that produced unbelievable limbs in recent weeks…
York City beat these boys 4-1 in the reverse fixture, but how will they fare on the road?
Weren’t not exaggerating when we say there’s been so much last-minute bedlam from both outfits that you’d think the novelty might have possibly worn off by now – a bit Ross and Rachel, ‘will they, won’t they?’. Rest assured, it absolutely hasn’t.
Not a little bit.
Currently sitting just two points behind their Yorkshire title rivals, with a goal difference of nearly 50 to boot, in most instances, this would be far and away enough to make it over the line most years.
However, the Minstermen have had other ideas, leading the pack pretty much from day one, not only racking up 107 points but also amassing a whopping 105 goals so far – quite literally the same number of points that Jimmy McNulty’s squad have in their entirety up to this point.
Truly staggering stuff, and not just in terms of the stats themselves, but because this could still prove not enough to lift the all-important piece of silverware and secure a place back in the EFL. It’s already produced plenty of hold-your-breath level viral clips on social media:
York City’s players reactions to Rochdale’s 99th minute winner to deny them winning the league😂😂😂
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Rochdale have sold all of their home tickets to fill the max capacity of the 10,249-seater stadium as they prepare to host the league leaders at the Crown Oil Arena.
Equally, the entire 850 allocation afforded to fans travelling from York was snapped up in less than 10 minutes earlier this month, with supporters queuing around the ground at the crack of dawn to secure their spot in what will be an unforgettable and no doubt crucial away end.
We have no idea how things are going to pan out, especially given all the players and plot points that have made this one of the most box office title sporting contests ever (you heard), but we do know that it’ll be a day that stays with all those involved forever.
The two sides have even penned a joint statement ahead of this highly anticipated conclusion, reiterating this as the best advert for the tier teetering on the edge of the professional pyramid: “This Saturday’s game brings an end to one of the most thrilling, exciting and unpredictable title races in football history.
Both ourselves and Rochdale have the chance to write our names in National League history. The National League is no longer a non-league competition. It is effectively a League 3, with fully professional clubs operating at a level equal to or higher than many of those in League 2.”
They all know how much this one game means not just for the respective organisations and fan bases, but their communities, culture and native areas on the whole.
Kyron Gordon wants Rochdale fans to bring the energy tomorrow 💥 An exclusive Kyron Gordon interview features in NL72 | Promotion Race Preview, which is free to watch on DAZN with no sign up required ▶️
It continues: “We both understand how important this game is to both clubs and supporters. We both pledge now that whatever happens tomorrow, we will both continue to fight for 3UP.
“Both clubs sit on over 100 points. One of us will have to fight once more in the National League Play-Offs. However, we both strongly believe that this shouldn’t have to be the case.
“We call on the National League, Football Regulator, EFL and Premier League to come together immediately and resolve this issue, so that we do not have to highlight this injustice year after year.”
Rousing stuff, to be sure.
They sign off by adding: “For both sets of supporters attending the Crown Oil Arena this weekend, we say thank you for being with us all season. The passion you’ve shown for both clubs has been felt across the world. This game will be seen far and wide.
“We want to showcase this league for all its potential. Keep your support in the stands, not on the pitch, and let’s all protect the game we love. Thank you! Rochdale AFC & York City FC.”
Naturally, we’re wishing all the best for Rochdale, but who do you fancy to put a ribbon on this truly unreal title race?
BBC’s Football Focus to end after more than half a century
Danny Jones
In a fairly shocking bit of broadcasting news, Football Focus is ending after more than half a century on our screens.
Announced on Thursday, 23 April, the once flagship show and weekly TV guide staple for countless British households is set to be cancelled after 52 seasons’ worth of coverage.
With BBC Sport confirming the tough decision in a lengthy statement, the long-running show will be taken off the air at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Most programmes like these have seen declining audiences across the board in the era of streaming and digital packages across various platforms, but this is truly the end of an era.
An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end.
Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season.
First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have… pic.twitter.com/bmHQqQdf6J
An official social media post reads: “An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end. Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season. “First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience. The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
“But changing audience behaviours mean fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways, and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent.”
Second only really to Match of the Day (MotD), which first began a whole decade prior to its once equally popular spin-off, Gary Lineker, Manish Bhasin, Alex Scott and others have all enjoyed varying periods hosting the regular weekend watch.
While even MotD has seen steadily dipping viewing figures, not just following the Lineker departure/saga, but ever since YouTube highlights and the social media era.
The statement goes on to say: “Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing, and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms. BBC Sport boasts a strong football rights portfolio and is set to significantly expand its digital output this year, growing content across BBC platforms, as well as a bold new slate of exclusive shows on YouTube.
“Featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences, the expansion will bring fans closer to the game than ever before, delivering more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale. We will release further details on these plans in the coming months.”
Will you miss it? Perhaps more to the point, do you still watch Match of the Day, Soccer Saturday and the like on terrestrial telly?
Georgina Pellant -
23rd November 2021 
