National HIV Testing Week
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 2.30pm on Wednesday 8 February on National HIV Testing Week. The debate will be opened by Maggie Throup MP.

This briefing looks at what happened to the Health and Care Act 2022 in its final stages in Parliament – focussing on the issues debated and amendments made.
Health and Care Act 2022: Final stages in Parliament (10 MB , PDF)
The Health and Care Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. Changes were made to the Bill as it progressed through Parliament, including significant amendments introduced in the House of Lords between December 2021 and March 2022. Amendments were also made during the process known as ‘ping-pong’ between the Lords and Commons.
The most substantive debates in the final stage of the Bill related to:
Several Lords amendments relating to a new ‘cap’ on social care costs and on workforce planning were introduced despite Government opposition. These changes were removed on the Bill’s final day of consideration.
There were attempts to remove the Secretary of State’s new powers over the process to make local changes to NHS services (known as reconfigurations). The Lords agreed an amendment to this effect which was later overturned by the Government in the Commons. The Government made some concessions to further define when and how these powers could be used.
A ‘free vote’ was held on provisions relating to early medical termination of pregnancy. Parliament decided to extend provisions for home use introduced during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Act introduces significant reforms to the way the NHS in England is organised. It provides for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to take on statutory responsibilities for NHS services from 1 July 2022. Several Government amendments related to the duties of NHS England, ICBs and other NHS organisations. These included changes to strengthen their duties in relation to the reduction of health inequalities.
Other new areas were introduced or updated during the Lord stages, including new powers to ban hymenoplasty (also known as hymen reconstruction), after amendments to prohibit virginity testing were introduced during the Commons stages.
Amendments to other parts of the legislation included changes to the rules on the procurement of NHS services, on advertising less healthy food and drinks, and on the protection of evidence gathered by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB).
Entirely new sections were also added to the Bill in the Lords, reflecting concerns about a range of issues, including the regulation of cosmetic treatments, overseas organ transplantation, and the need for mandatory training for health and social care professionals on learning disability and autism.
Health and Care Act 2022: Final stages in Parliament (10 MB , PDF)
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 2.30pm on Wednesday 8 February on National HIV Testing Week. The debate will be opened by Maggie Throup MP.
A debate has been scheduled in Westminster Hall on Monday 6 February on e-petitions 589677 and 597840 relating to assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The subject for the debate has been nominated by the Petitions Committee.
This paper covers reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983, including the Independent Review, white paper, draft Mental Health Bill and pre-legislative scrutiny.