Health secretary: New measures will strengthen NHS

Health secretary Alan Johnson has said the new health bill “will strengthen the NHS”.

The report, published on Friday, will see measures including the allowance of direct payments for healthcare to people.

It will also mean the NHS has a “legal duty” to regard the organisation’s constitution, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of staff and patients.

Mr Johnson said: “The Health Bill will strengthen the NHS – it will provide a legal framework for the vital reforms of the last few years and especially those outlined in High Quality Care for All.”

He went on to note people “rightly” have high expectations of the service.

Last month, it was announced the government was to appoint an independent review group to examine NHS dentistry services.

The team is billed to help improve access for patients waiting for a dentist, where access to such a service is still a problem in some areas of the UK.

Other objectives for the group include advising the government on how the NHS can improve quality of care.