Department of Health (Northern Ireland) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Allows the Secretary of State to exercise the Northern Ireland Department of Health's powers and duties when there is no Northern Ireland Executive.
• Aims to ensure continuity of health services and decision‑making in Northern Ireland during periods without a devolved government.
• Covers the functions currently exercised by the Northern Ireland Department of Health as defined in the bill.
• Originated in the House of Lords and is at the 2nd reading stage in the Lords (first reading was on 27 January 2020).
• Provides a temporary framework for UK government handling of health functions in Northern Ireland during absence of the Executive.

Progress

The bill is at the 2nd reading stage in the House of Lords. It originated in the Lords, with the first reading having taken place on 27 January 2020; further stages are not shown in the provided information.