Health Bill Timeline

April: The College surveys its members to determine which key areas it should focus its critical engagement on during the implementation of the Act.

08 March: Fellows and Members of the College debate the Bill at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

27 March: The Bill gains Royal Assent and becomes the Health and Social Care Act (2012).

13 March: Final session of the Bill’s report stage in the House of Lords.

01 February: February issue of RCS Bulletin provides an update on the Bill. The President's Newsletter explains why the College feels it would not be prudent to scrap the Bill.

01 February: The Government outlines amendments to the Bill, strengthening the responsibility on the Secretary of State to promote a comprehensive health service and making education, training and medical research core functions of health service provision.

19 January: The RCN announces that it now opposes the Health Bill. This is followed by similar moves by the RCM and RCR.

12 January: The RCGP releases survey results showing that a number of RCGP members want the Bill to be withdrawn.

15 November: The College meets Prof Steve Field, Chair of the NHS Future Forum to discuss the Forum’s work around the NHS reforms.

In advance of this meeting views from Council and Directors of Professional Affairs were sought. Both were invited to the meeting and many attended.

09 November: The College responds to the NHS Future Forum phase 2 workstream consultation on Education and Training.

09 November: The College responds to the NHS Future Forum phase 2 workstream consultation on Information.

09 November: The College responds to the NHS Future Forum phase 2 workstream consultation on Integrated Services.

01 November: November issue of RCS Bulletin updates on the progress of the Bill and the recent work of the College in President’s Newsletter section.

24 November: The BMA announces that it is moving to oppose the Health Bill. This follows significant unease from within the BMA’s membership and is ratified by their Council.

17 October: The College organises a second House of Lords Bill briefing session in House of Lords, attending alongside the RCN, RCP, RCGP and AoMRC.

10 October: The College publishes its Second Reading Briefing on the Bill. It uses this to brief politicians, ahead of the debate in the Lords.

01 October: October issue of RCS Bulletin updates on the Bill with particular reference to education and training in President’s Newsletter section.

25 October: The Bill moves to Committee Stage in the House of Lords.

11 October: The Bill begins its Second Reading in the Lords, which presents the first opportunity for Lords to discuss the plans in detail.

06 September: Ahead of the NHS Future Forum consultation on education and training, the College asks for views and opinions on what the College should say in response.

01 September: September issue of RCS Bulletin updates on the Bill, where the College has successfully lobbied for change, and the anticipated legislative programme ahead in President’s Newsletter and Surgical News sections.

08 September: The Bill moves to the House of Lords, where it has its first reading

06 September: Final processes in the Commons – the Report and Third Reading stages begin.

21 July: Members' Newsletter highlights that the College has submitted evidence to the new House of Commons Bill Committee.

01 July: July issue of RCS Bulletin highlights the College’s position on the Bill as it resumes its progress though the Commons in President’s Newsletter section.

June: The College provides written evidence to the recommitted Health and Social Care Bill Committee.

21 June: The Bill resumes its progress in the House of Commons and a new House of Commons Bill Committee is announced.

13 June: The NHS Future Forum publishes its recommendations on the NHS reforms and the Bill, to which the Government responds positively.

23 May: The College responds to the Future Forum with its recommended commissioning standards for NHS Providers.

01 May: May issue of RCS Bulletin updates on the Bill and the areas where the College will continue to lobby for change in President’s Newsletter section.

01 April: April issue of RCS Bulletin features a 3 page piece by Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley on the Bill, calling for surgeons to give their views.

01 April: April issue of RCS Bulletin discusses continuing College concerns and the President’s House of Commons Bill Committee evidence session in President’s Newsletter, Surgical News and Editorial sections.

04 April: Following pressure on the Government, the Bill legislative process is ‘paused’ and a series of listening events, led by the NHS Future Forum, are announced

21 March: The College organises a Bill briefing session in House of Lords, attending alongside the RCP and RCGP.

04 March: Members’ Newsletter - request made for views on the Bill following its move into Committee stage and the President's oral evidence session before the Bill Committee.

01 March: March issue of RCS Bulletin discusses several concerns the College has with the Bill in President’s Newsletter section.

March: The College responds to the NHS White Paper consultation on Developing the Healthcare Workforce.

31 March: Final session of the House of Commons Bill Committee.

22 February: The College meets with Department of Health policy team to discuss the Bill and the College’s concerns.

17 February: The College submits written evidence to the House of Commons Bill Committee.

04 February: Members' Newsletter updates on the College’s analysis of the Bill prior to the start of the House of Commons Bill Committee stage.

01 February: February issue of RCS Bulletin outlines the key principles of the Bill in President’s Newsletter and Surgical News sections.

22 February: The College meets with DH policy team to discuss the Bill and the College’s concerns.

10 February: President John Black gives evidence to the House of Commons Bill Committee alongside other leaders from the medical profession.

He calls for practising clinicians to be involved in the NHS Commissioning Board.

08 February: Start of House of Commons Bill Committee. The Committee is a cross-party group of MPs who are responsible for scrutinising the Bill and making amendments to it.

28 January: The College publishes its Second Reading Briefing on the Bill and briefs politicians with the briefing, ahead of the debate in the Commons.

26 January: Members' Newsletter - request made for views on the proposals, to be put to the Secretary of State, following the publication of the Bill.

January: The College responds to the NHS White Paper consultation on Greater Choice and Control.

January: The College responds to the NHS White Paper consultation on the Information Revolution

31 January: Second Reading of the Bill and first opportunity for politicians to raise concerns about the proposals, including concerns highlighted by organisations including the College.

19 January: Health and Social Care Bill is published and read before the House of Commons.

September: The College responds to the NHS White Paper consultation on Regulating Healthcare Providers.

September: The College responds to the NHS White Paper consultation on Democratic Legitimacy in Health.

September: The College responds to the NHS White Paper consultation on Commissioning for Patients.

September: The College responds to the NHS White Paper consultation on the Outcomes Framework.

The College responds to the NHS White Paper via its consultation process.

12 July: Department of Health publishes the NHS White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS.