Red Tape Challenge for health and social care sector launched

The government has launched a Red Tape Challenge for the health and social care sector as it seeks to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency within the NHS.

From now until December 11th 2012, healthcare providers and members of the public will be able to offer recommendations on ways to streamline more than 500 Department of Health regulations.

These cover a wide range of areas across quality of care, mental health, the NHS, professional standards and public health, with feedback to be used to help decide which rules should be scrapped and which ought to be kept and improved.

Since its launch in April 2011, the Red Tape Challenge scheme has led to more than 1,000 regulations being abolished or overhauled.

Public health minister Anna Soubry said this challenge provides participants with "a vital opportunity to let us know how we can improve the way we regulate or how we can do things differently, whilst ensuring the public is protected".

Earlier this week, it was announced that the NHS Constitution is to be amended to offer stronger protection for patients, including the right to have any mistakes during their care acknowledged and explained.