Health and Social Care Legislation

Regulations governing the NHS, healthcare provision, social care services, public health measures, and medical standards.

The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025

The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025, effective April 1st, 2025, amend Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 by eliminating the requirement for intensified two-year monitoring of holdings with confirmed atypical scrapie cases in sheep or goats in England.

These changes were made following appropriate advice on public health implications and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules Order of Council 2025

This Order approves amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) rules.

The amendments increase various registration and scrutiny fees, reflecting updated operational costs, and allow the HCPC to conduct meetings and hearings using audio or video conferencing technology improving efficiency and access.

The fee increases affect registration, renewal, readmission, and restoration fees, as well as scrutiny fees for UK and international applicants.

The changes to procedures affect multiple sets of HCPC procedural rules, specifically those concerning the Investigating, Conduct and Competence, Health, and Registration Appeals Committees.

The HCPC consulted with relevant bodies and stakeholders before implementing these changes.

The National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the 2012 National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations.

Key changes include updating the rates for NHS-funded nursing care, increasing the ‘flat rate payment’ from £235.88 to £254.06 and the ‘high band payment’ from £324.50 to £349.50.

The regulations also remove references to secure training centers from NHS England's commissioning responsibilities, focusing instead solely on immigration removal centers.

These amendments took effect on April 1st, 2025, and apply to England only, having been made under the authority of the National Health Service Act 2006.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 3rd Mar 25

These regulations amend the 2014 Health and Social Care Act regulations, removing their expiry date and implementing a five-year review process.

The amendments ensure ongoing regulatory oversight of health and social care activities in England and Wales, with the next review due by July 13, 2028, and subsequent reviews every five years thereafter.

The Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the 2010 Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations.

Key changes include adding the Department of Health and Social Care and the General Council as designated bodies responsible for appointing responsible officers (ROs), clarifying the ROs' duties, and revising the prescribed connections between medical practitioners and designated bodies.

The amendments aim to improve clarity, accountability, and efficiency in the oversight of medical practitioners' fitness to practice.

The Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) (Amendment) Order 2025

This Order amends the Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) Order 2004 by adding the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to the list of designated consumer bodies.

The Secretary of State confirmed the Institute represents consumer interests and meets all specified criteria, enabling it to file super-complaints with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding market practices harming consumers.

The amendment enhances consumer protection, specifically within the mental health sector, effective from April 6, 2025, and applies across the whole of the UK.

The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025

The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 mandate that gambling operators pay an annual levy to the Gambling Commission, beginning April 6, 2025.

The levy amount is calculated based on the operator's revenue, with different percentages applied to different licenses.

The regulation aims to fund research and treatment of gambling-related harm, and addresses the collection of this levy through defined levy periods and methods of calculation.

Non-payment, unless excused by administrative error, results in license revocation.

The Movement of Goods (Northern Ireland to Great Britain) (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health etc.) (Transitory Provision and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025

These regulations create a temporary system for moving specific goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, mirroring checks on imports from non-EU countries.

This involves applying existing legislation with modifications and specifying entry points.

The regulations also amend other legislation connected to defining ‘qualifying Northern Ireland goods’ to reflect ongoing changes in applicable law.