The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Lord Darzi of Denham, has formally introduced the new Health Bill in the House of Lords.

The key measures contained in the Bill, include:

• Piloting direct payments to give patients greater choice and control over their health care
• Placing a duty on all NHS bodies, private sector and third sector providers of NHS services to have regard to the NHS Constitution
• Creating new quality accounts that will help improve the quality of health services
• Introducing innovation prizes to encourage an enterprise and innovation culture within the NHS

Details of the other key measures can be read in the February issue of Care Agenda, our monthly newsletter available only to ECCA members. For details of how to join, click here.