The Government has now introduced the Medicines and Medical Devices Bill that will provide NHS hospitals across the country the power to give more personalised treatment.
The Bill will help hospitals provide more tailored treatments for individual patients when other medicines have been unsuccessful or unavailable. Patient issues and DNA samples can now be used to treat patients with conditions such as rare cancers and brain tumours.
It will introduce new measures to ensure patient safety with new regulations on medical devices as companies all need to register devices with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Importantly, it also aims to reduce unnecessary GP appointments as other professions, such as nurses, midwives and pharmacists, will be able to prescribe low-risk medicines.
This is part and parcel of the Governments, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s, commitment to strengthening the NHS and reducing pressure on hospitals and GP appointments. The Government has committed the biggest cash boost in history, £33.9 million, and has promised 50 million more GP appointments every year.
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, commented:
"Our local hospitals and GP surgeries are facing increasing pressure and I know that many of my constituents have very serious concerns over the availability of appointments.
"That is why I am particularly pleased to see the introduction of todays Bill. It is part of the package of measures that the Government is committing to reduce pressure on our NHS and improve services. I look forward to seeing its passage through Parliament."
Health Minister Baroness Blackwood said:
"I am determined to help everyone who uses our world-leading NHS to access pioneering, cutting-edge treatments as soon as possible.
"The new bill will give our most treasured institution further freedom to innovate to improve the lives of countless people and protect patient safety to the highest standards.
"It will slash red tape, support uptake of treatments for people with rare diseases and empower those in the NHS who know what’s best for their patients to deliver the best quality care."