Government and legislation

Following the general election and formation of the coalition government, the CSP have marshalled a range of documents for healthcare professionals.

The CSP's Chief Executive Phil Gray has commented:

'The new Government's programme shows a welcome commitment to public health, prevention, early intervention and maintenance of older peoples' independence, all of which physiotherapists are well placed to support.

'However, we have some concerns on the wider implications of NHS reform and the CSP will consider these carefully when more details emerge. The CSP also feels the new welfare reform measures that have just been announced need to be thought through fully if they are not to intimidate or penalise people with long term conditions and disabilities who genuinely need support.

'The CSP will be urging the new Government to fully implement an expanded programme of investment in self referral, early intervention physiotherapy for people with MSK conditions.

'This would, as Dame Carol Black's report said, get people back to work more quickly, save money and significantly reduce the numbers of people ending up on Employment Support Allowance because of the lack of early physiotherapy treatment.'

The Queen's Speech and Government legislative programme

Delivered on 25th May 2010, the Queen's Speech outlines the government’s legislative programme for the next parliamentary session (2010/2011).

The government has announced twenty two bills and further non-legislative measures for the next parliamentary session, including the Health Bill.

Download the CSP briefing on the Queen's Speech for a full list of bills, as well as comment and expert analysis.

New health ministers appointed

The new Ministerial team at the Department of Health has been confirmed by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

• Simon Burns MP is Minister of State for Health
• Paul Burstow MP is Minister of State for Care Services
• Anne Milton MP is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health
• Earl Howe is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality

‘We have a very strong Ministerial team with a wealth of experience in the field of health,’ said Lansley.

‘Anne Milton, who worked for the NHS for 25 years, has a wide range of hands-on experience, including nursing in hospitals, as a district nurse, and supporting GPs and nurses working in palliative care.’

Earl Howe was Opposition spokesman for Health and Social Services in the House of Lords from 1997.

Simon Burns previously served as a Health Minister as well as working on the shadow health team.

Since 1999, Paul Burstow has worked on the older people’s brief and has a special interest in social care and disability issues.

Please see the paper Ministers and responsibilities in the Department of Health for further information and biographies.

Westminster elections: CSP briefings

Following the announcement of the coalition government, we have produced a new Westminster Elections briefing to highlight key policy points.