We Asked, You Said, We Did

Whether we should make changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, to allow schools to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, without a named individual prescription, for use in emergencies.

Over 500 people responded to the consultation. There was overwhelming support for the proposals. 533 respondents supported the proposals to allow schools to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, without a named individual prescription, for use in emergencies. A summary of the consultation responses was published on GOV.UK on 6 July 2017 and is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/allowing-schools-to-hold-spare-adrenaline-auto-injectors

The Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 were published on 5 July 2017 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2017/715.) These Regulations amend the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and will allow schools to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, without a named individual prescription, for use in emergencies. The revised regulations will come into effect on 1 October 2017. From this date onwards, schools will be able to buy adrenaline auto-injectors, without a prescription, for use in emergencies from a pharmaceutical supplier in small quantities provided it is done on an occasional basis and is not for profit.

How the NHS Constitution could be updated to better reflect changes to policy, and therefore make the NHS Constitution more meaningful to patients and staff. These changes included reflecting; • a more transparent and accessible NHS; • Sir Robert Francis QC’s recommendations from his Inquiry Report; • a series of fundamental standards; • a greater prominence on mental health; and • the Armed Forces Covenant.

Overall you agreed with our proposals. You often highlighted the importance of their inclusion in a revised version of the NHS Constitution, particularly in light of the failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. However, at times you felt that we could improve the clarity of certain additions, and provide further information on what each addition entails.

We have published our Government response outlining amendments made to the proposals as a result of the public consultation, alongside updated versions of both the NHS Constitution, and Handbook to the NHS Constitution. Where applicable, we have explained the rationale behind each amendment, and provided further clarity and information on each addition within the Handbook.