Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the decision not to introduce regulations of mandatory disclosure of payments to the healthcare sector under the Health and Care Act 2022.

The Government recognises the importance of transparency and trust in the health system and has outlined its reasons for introducing guidance, rather than legislative measures, in relation to payments made by industry to the healthcare sector. These reasons can be found in the Government’s consultation response document, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-disclosure-of-industry-payments-to-the-healthcare-sector/outcome/government-response-the-disclosure-of-industry-payments-to-the-healthcare-sector

The Department will work closely with key stakeholders to develop the guidance over the coming months. Following publication of this guidance, the Department will monitor its uptake closely and retains the option to take additional regulatory or legislative action if required.