NHS Modernisation Bill 2026 (Health Bill)

Introduction

In the 2026 King’s Speech, the government outlined plans to introduce legislation to reform how the NHS is led and managed in the form of an NHS Modernisation Bill. 

The proposed reforms included:

• the abolition of NHS England (NHSE), pulling functions directly into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including transferring of some powers directly to the Secretary of State

• the reconfiguration of certain duties of integrated care boards

• changes to statutory data functions and the single patient record

• abolition of Healthwatch and the creation of a new DHSC patient voice function.

Other changes included reducing the number of patient safety organisations, including bringing the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) into the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and changes to flexibility and governance of local NHS organisations.

These changes represent one of the most significant NHS restructures in recent years, with potentially far-reaching implications for how care is delivered, managed and held accountable.

What we are doing

We are working to influence the shape of the legislation, with a focus on its overall direction, scope and practical impact. 

Alongside this, we are analysing and explaining what the reforms could mean in practice - particularly for patients, staff and organisations across the health system.

We want to hold government to account for delivering reforms that meaningfully improve people's experience of health and care services and support.

We will also highlight the wider context around the legislation and its implementation. Structural reform alone is unlikely to deliver meaningful change without accompanying shifts in culture, leadership, accountability and implementation. As the bill progresses, we will assess whether the proposed changes are likely to improve care and performance without creating unnecessary disruption.