18 February 2022
The House of Lords has recently finished Committee Stage of the Health and Care Bill. The RCSLT worked with peers to influence the debates, which included briefing them on a range of issues, including babies, children and young people, membership of Integrated Care Boards, rehabilitation plan and workforce planning. Read on to find out more about the policy asks.
Babies, children and young people
We argued for the Bill to include reference babies, children and young people. This was one of the policy asks of the Health Policy Influencing Group, of which the RCSLT is a member. It is a coalition run by the National Children’s Bureau and Council for Disabled Children.
- Watch Lord Shinkwin’s speech or read the transcript.
- Watch Lady Whitaker’s speech or read the transcript.
Membership of Integrated Care Boards
We argued for Integrated Care Boards to include an allied health professional (AHP). This was a policy ask of the Allied Health Professions Federation of which the RCSLT is a member. We also argued for them to include a rehabilitation professional. This was a policy ask of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance of which the RCSLT is also a member.
- Watch Lady Finlay’s speech or read the transcript.
- Watch Lord Bradley’s speech or read the transcript.
Rehabilitation plan
We argued that Integrated Care Boards should produce an annual rehabilitation strategy. This was a Community Rehabilitation Alliance policy ask.
- Watch Lady Finlay’s rehabilitation plan speech or read the transcript.
- Watch Lady Whitaker’s rehabilitation plan speech or read the transcript.
Workforce planning
We argued for improved workforce planning. This is to ensure there are enough speech and language therapists – to meet current and future demand. This was part of an Allied Health Professions Federation policy ask.
- Watch Lady Finlay’s workforce planning speech or read the transcript.
- Watch Lord Bradley’s workforce planning speech or read the transcript.
- Watch Lady Whitaker’s workforce planning speech or read the transcript.
RCSLT’s briefings
- Read our Committee Stage briefing (PDF)
- Read our briefing on babies, children and young people (PDF). It is a joint briefing with joint the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers and I CAN.
- Read our dedicated workforce briefing (PDF)
Next steps
We are now working with peers and coalition partners in preparation for the report stage. This is the next stage of the Bill’s consideration and begins in March.
