What next for health scrutiny?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the possible implications for health scrutiny in England of changes being made/consulted upon resulting from the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, associated secondary legislation and a review of the existing literature on health scrutiny over the last 10 years.

Findings

Health scrutiny legislation is in need of review, especially since the changes to the health care system introduced by the recent Health and Social Care Act 2012. The Department of Health has recently consulted on possible changes to be implemented from April 2013. If health scrutiny can become embedded in local commissioning processes, there is potential for health services appropriate to local populations to be more effectively provided within the current financially challenging environment.

Originality/value

Little has been written on health scrutiny in recent years. This article looks at the potential impacts on and opportunities for health scrutiny under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Citation

Coleman, A. and Harrison, S. (2013), "What next for health scrutiny?", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 54-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/14769011311315999