NHS Modernisation Bill sets out single patient record plans

The NHS Modernisation Bill 2026 (Health Bill), outlined in the King's Speech and debated in Parliament for its second reading on 1 June, introduces a single patient record across England. The Bill requires all NHS providers, including hospitals and GPs, to securely share data to connect fragmented health information, ensuring clinicians have a complete view of a patient's medical history, medicines, and allergies at the point of care.

The single patient record is projected to save the taxpayer more than £20 million annually by reducing medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and duplicate prescribing. It will also save doctors approximately 500,000 hours each year in administrative tasks, allowing them more time to treat patients. Furthermore, the reforms are expected to result in up to 20,000 fewer accident and emergency visits and 6,000 fewer hospital admissions annually.

Patients will also gain greater control over their care, with clear safeguards, audit trails, and choices about data use. They will also no longer need to repeat their medical histories to different medical professionals. 

The Bill also addresses the abolition of NHS England, transferring its functions to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and some of its powers directly to the Secretary of State.

Additional reporting by The Guardian and Pinsent Masons.

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