Health Bill Timeline

White Paper launched

Jul 12, 2010

<a href="http://pulsetoday.co.uk/pcarticle-content/-/article_display_list/11036516/government-unveils-blueprint-for-gp-commissioning-revolution">

RCGP: Push deadline

Sep 14, 2010

The RCGP urges Andrew Lansley to put back his plans for GP commissioning, after the biggest survey of GPs to date showed fierce opposition.

White paper a 'smokescreen'

Sep 23, 2010

The BMA launches an attack on core elements of the Government’s health white paper, which, it warns sopens the door to further privatisation of the NHS and could lead to services being provided on the basis of cost rather than quality.

Mixed GP reaction

Oct 1, 2010

Read GP's comments in response to our snap survey on the white paper.

Doctors sceptical of reforms

Oct 26, 2010

<a href="http://pulsetoday.co.uk/newsarticle-content/-/article_display_list/11044598/profession-unconvinced-by-white-paper-reforms-king-s-fund-survey-finds">GPs and hospital doctors are sceptical of the Government's health reforms, do not believe they will improve patient care and fear they will hamper the NHS's efforts to achieve massive efficiency savings, a large-scale survey by the King's Fund finds

Exclusive interview: Lansley

Nov 3, 2010

Health secretary Andrew Lansley takes the BMA to task over its opposition to his ‘any willing provider’ policy, and made it clear that the Government has no intention of reversing its drive to stimulate competition in the NHS.

First pathfinder named

Dec 8, 2010

Health secretary Andrew Lansley names 52 groups of GP practices from across England who will become the first wave of GP consortia under his commissioning plans.

Second wave announced

Jan 17, 2011

GP consortia selected in the second wave of pathfinders are almost a third smaller than those named in the initial group, suggesting the final number of new organisations could exceed 300, a Pulse analysis finds

Third wave unveiled

Mar 2, 2011

The Government unveils the latest wave of GP commissioning pathfinders – which will now cover two-thirds of England

Fallout over SRM

Mar 18, 2011

Motions demanding the Government withdraws the health bill, but against opposing it ‘in its entirety’ have left the BMA’s position muddled and unclear, says Pulse editor Richard Hoey

Consortia coverage, 90%

Apr 4, 2011

Health secretary Andrew Lansley today announces the fourth wave of GP-led pathfinder consortia, bringing the total coverage to nearly 90% of patients in England.

Dr Steve Field steps up to front the listening exercise

Apr 6, 2011

Former RCGP chair, Professor Steve Field, has been drafted in to head up a two-month Government ‘listening exercise’

Chair of the RCGP questions the listening exercise

Apr 13, 2011

Gerada questions independence of 'listening exercise' on NHS reforms

NHS Alliance launches rival exercise

Apr 19, 2011

Rival 'listening exercise' aims to boost profile of GP consortia

Angry letters and comments in Pulse

Apr 26, 2011

Letter of the week: Real NHS reform would ask patients to contribute

A senior DH advisor attacks the reforms panel

May 9, 2011

Senior DH adviser attacks Number 10's NHS reforms panel for 'looking backwards'

Professor Field gives an exclusive interview with Pulse

May 19, 2011

'I was offered this because people felt that I would be independent, strong-minded', he told reporter Gareth Iacobucci.

Cameron postpones handover

Jun 10, 2011

PM scraps April 2013 deadline for commissioning handover to GPs

Forum recommends rewrite

Jun 13, 2011

Future Forum recommends rewrite of controversial competition rules in health bill

Bill could be sent back to Commons, admits Lansley

Jun 22, 2011

The Government's controversial health and social care bill could be sent back to the House of Commons following the conclusion of its listening exercise, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has admitted.

Plans to increase competition under 'any qualified provider'

Jul 19, 2011

Government reveals plans to increase competition under 'any qualified provider'

Protests step up over 'doomsday' NHS reforms

Aug 16, 2011

Campaigners to step up protests over 'doomsday' NHS reforms

PM: ‘The whole health profession is now on board’

Aug 26, 2011

PM: ‘The whole health profession is now on board’

BMA to fight on after MPs pass health bill

Sep 8, 2011

BMA to fight on after MPs pass health bill

GP peer attempts to scupper health bill

Oct 11, 2011

GP peer attempts to scupper health bill

Peers vote through health bill

Oct 12, 2011

Peers vote through health bill

CCGs sign landmark deal with private firms

Oct 14, 2011

31 commissioning groups sign landmark deal with private firms to provide 'organisational support'

DH to transfer new powers to NHS Commissioning Board

Oct 18, 2011

DH to transfer new powers to NHS Commissioning Board

Health bill is chance to empower GPs, says new NHS Board Chief

Oct 19, 2011

'Unintelligible' health bill is chance to empower GPs, says new NHS Board Chief

BMA unveils 11 demands on health bill

Oct 27, 2011

BMA unveils 11 demands on health bill

GPs legally bound to join CCGs in new contract

Nov 2, 2011

GPs legally bound to join CCGs in new contract

LMC leaders step down to avoid conflict of interest with CCGs

Nov 22, 2011

LMC leaders step down to avoid conflict of interest with CCG boards

Health minister criticises 'zombie-like' health bill opponents

Nov 24, 2011

Health minister criticises 'zombie-like' health bill opponents

CCG mergers expected as management allowance set at £25 p/head

Nov 24, 2011

Wave of CCG mergers expected as management allowance set at £25 per head

GPs quit CCG roles as commissioning enthusiasts lose heart

Dec 6, 2011

GPs quit CCG roles as commissioning enthusiasts lose heart

RCGP seeks mandate for health bill opposition

Dec 22, 2011

RCGP seeks mandate from members on further health bill opposition

98% of RCGP members want the health bill scrapped

Jan 12, 2012

98% of RCGP members support joint call for health bill to be scrapped

Department of Health paid RCGP for 'support'

Jan 18, 2012

Revealed: Department of Health paid RCGP thousands of pounds for 'support'

Meldrum in war of words with Lansley

Jan 27, 2012

Meldrum in war of words after ‘politically poisoned’ remark by Lansley

NHS Commissioning Board to start up

Oct 1, 2012

The NHS Commissioning Board will be formally established; it will begin to authorise CQCs. SHAs will have been clustering up until this point in preparation.

PCTs and SHAs to be axed

Apr 1, 2013

PCTs and SHAs will be axed; ready clinical commissioning groups (CCG) will take on budgetary responsbility; by now all GPs must be in at least a CCG. Remaining CCGs will take on commissioning powers when ready, however no deadline was set for this in the initial reforms relaunch.