Reducing waiting times, prevention and improving mental health provision topped Labour's agenda in today's King's Speech but there were no social care reforms.
Legislation included increasing the age for which people can buy cigarettes and limiting the sale of vapes as well as restrictions on junk food advertising to children and the sale of high caffeine energy drinks.
The Government promised to ‘reduce the waiting times, focus on prevention and improve mental health provision for young people'.
The speech included a commitment to the NHS remaining a ‘service for all, providing care on the basis of need regardless of the ability to pay' and legislation to modernise the Mental Health Act and a commitment to ensure mental health is given the same attention and focus as physical health.
A draft Bill will also be brought forward to ban conversion practices.
Legislation will also include measures to protect the NHS and other public services from future disruption caused by cyber-attacks.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the speech contained some ‘game changing commitments that will improve the nation's health'.
‘Reforming the Mental Health Act is long overdue and is a vital step in helping to move more support for mental health, learning disability and autism patients into the community and reduce detentions,' Taylor said. ‘These are increasing every year and require expensive inpatient treatment.'
Taylor also welcomed commitments to eventually phase out smoking and measures to tackle children's consumption of junk food and high caffeine drinks as well as support to prevent future cyber-attacks.
Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive, NHS Providers, welcomed the Government's focus on reducing waiting times, mental health and prevention, and measures to phase out smoking.
He also highlighted the need to tackle the junior doctor and GP disputes, fund overdue pay awards for NHS staff and for the full implementation of the Long Term Workforce Plan to create a sustainable workforce.
There was general disappointment at the omission of social care reform although the Government did commit to a Fair Pay Agreement for workers.
Sir Julian said the sector required ‘urgent reform' and more resource to help ease mounting pressures on the NHS.
Deputy leader, Daisy Cooper, said the Liberal Democrats wanted to see the Labour Government be ‘really ambitious' on social care reform and cutting GP waiting times.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea was more positive, welcoming the social care Fair Pay Agreement as the ‘first sign things are set to change' on social care, with a National Care Service ‘the ultimate prize'.
