The Department of Health commissioned the independent NHS Future Forum in the summer to conduct a second listening exercise on a series of key issues for health and care. The NHS Future Forum submitted its report to the Department on 20 December and it has been published today. The report contains a series of recommendations for Government and for key bodies in the system in the areas of:

integration;

information;

the NHS’s role in improving the public’s health; and

education and training.

The Department is pleased to be able to accept all the forum’s recommendations for Government and has today published its response to the report.

Also published today is “Liberating the NHS: Developing the Healthcare Workforce, From Design to Delivery”, which sets out the Government’s policy for a new education and training system, and details how the Government are addressing the forum’s recommendations on education and training.

All documents published have been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.