The King’s Speech, the NHS, and the possibility of a new Health Secretary

At a rather interesting time politically, the King’s Speech went ahead with its traditional combination of pomp, ceremony and the unusual sight of all party leaders standing shoulder to shoulder without arguing with each other.

The NHS received one mention – the news that the government will move ahead in this parliament with the NHS Modernisation Bill, which will include the legal abolition of NHS England (with most of its powers reverting to the DHSC), other structural reorganisation, and the creation of the much-anticipated Single Patient Record.

To quote from His Majesty’s speech:

“My Government will also improve the United Kingdom’s security by continuing to invest in the renewal of public services. My Ministers will push forward with significant reforms to the police [Police Reform Bill], the National Health Service [NHS Modernisation Bill], and to the criminal justice system [Courts Modernisation Bill] to help them deliver services the British people expect.”

His Majesty delivered the speech only a few hours after the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, had a brief and possibly tense meeting with the Prime Minister. Mr Streeting is rumoured to be on the verge of resigning to mount a leadership challenge, which will of course require the appointment of another Health Secretary.

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