Direct payment for health care: a consultation

This consultation document seeks views on the Government’s proposals for piloting direct payments for health care. This is part of the wider pilot programme to explore personal health budgets announced in High Quality Care For All. PCTs are already able to offer personal budgets that do not involve giving money directly to individuals. The Health Bill, which has now completed its main Parliamentary stages, would extend these options by providing power to allow direct payments, where the individual would be given the money to buy their own health care as agreed in a care-plan.

Published October 2009, 41 pages

The Health Bill second reading – briefing from the King’s Fund

The King’s Fund has produced this briefing ahead of the second reading of the Health Bill in the House of Commons.

The King’s Fund welcomes the measures outlined in the new Health Bill to introduce a Constitution for the NHS; pilot direct payments for patients; require providers of NHS-funded care to produce annual quality accounts; and make further provisions on tobacco control.

Ahead of the Health Bill’s second reading in the House of Commons on Monday 8 June, they have some specific issues relating to the Health Bill that they raise and seek clarification on these during its passage.

(Published June 2009, 4 pages)