A new initiative has been launched that aims to reduce red tape in public health and social care. Part of the Red Tape Challenge, the government’s drive to reduce unnecessary regulation, the scheme invites members of the public and health professionals to comment on more than 500 Department of Health regulations covering a range of areas including the NHS, quality of care and professional standards.
The new ‘Healthy Living and Social Care’ topic will be live on the Red Tape Challenge website until 11 December.
Commenting on this extension of the Red Tape Challenge, the minister responsible for public health Anna Soubry said: “This Challenge will give the public, healthcare workers and clinicians a vital opportunity to let us know how we can improve the way we regulate or how we can do things differently, whilst ensuring the public is protected.”
“We will use the feedback they give us to plan how to get rid of requirements that are no longer needed, freeing up business from unnecessary red tape and giving health professionals more time to care for patients.”
Since its launch in April 2011, the Red Tape Challenge has looked at more than 4,000 regulations across government. So far, more than 1,000 of these regulations are set to be scrapped or overhauled and a number of improvements have already been made to health regulations relating to pharmaceutical services and social care
