Government seeks to reform the Mental Health Act,
improve NHS waiting times and restrict the sale of tobacco products.
The King's Speech 2024 has set out the priorities of the new Labour Government in Westminster, announcing more than 35 bills and draft bills aimed at supporting economic growth.
In terms of Health policy, the Government commits to take steps to improve the National Health Service for everyone – including reducing waiting times and focusing on prevention.
- Mental Health Bill aims to ensure mental health is given the same attention and focus as physical health, and ministers will work to modernise the Mental Health Act.
- Legislation will be brought in to help stop young people smoking and vaping, with a Bill to be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.
- In other parts of the speech, the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill aims to harness the power of data for economic growth to improve people’s lives, including a move to an electronic system for the registration of births and deaths, and applying information standards to IT suppliers in the health and social care system.
The College of Paramedics welcomes these commitments to health and wellbeing and we will continue our work with policymakers and stakeholders to demonstrate how our members play a vital part in delivering and transforming healthcare. d to the vellum copy, the Crown office will contact the College to arrange for collection.