Devolution and health
Created: 19 October 2015 Updated: 26 August 2016
As part of the UK government's devolution agenda, English regions are being given the opportunity to bid for full control of their health and social care budgets. This potentially has significant implications for the NHS and presents both opportunities and risks for doctors.
The BMA is working to gather information about these regions to enable us to properly support doctors locally. We are also engaging with MPs and local political stakeholders so that they understand the views of doctors. The public affairs team is also actively lobbying on the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill, which allows the Secretary of State to devolve healthcare functions to local authorities.
A number of other areas have also signed devolution deals. We have concentrated on the ones that involve health in a significant way.